This past fall, I had the wonderful opportunity to curate and moderate a Vegan Influencers Panel at Veg Food Fest. This festival is one of my favourite Toronto vegan events, and 2019 will mark it’s 35-year anniversary! Veg Food Fest is attended by 40,000 visitors at Harbourfront Centre, with over 160 vendors, and more than 40 hours of presentations, and workshops with popular speakers.

The Vegan Influencers panel discussion included a look at effective vegan advocacy strategies for social media, trends within the growing online vegan community, and a Q&A segment for audience questions at the end. I was grateful to be joined by incredibly inspiring vegan influencer panelists, who are all doing big things to help progress the vegan movement and raise awareness about animal rights issues.

All about the panelists:

John Lewis AKA Bad Ass Vegan, is a renowned fitness expert and public speaker. John Lewis has spent over a decade in the health and fitness industry and played Division I College basketball. John is highly passionate about not only his own health and fitness, but that of others as well… Which are evident through his motivational messages either through his international public speaking engagements or simply through his social media outlets. In addition to his extensive knowledge in body sculpting and contouring, what makes John one of the top national fitness consultants is his creative ability to understand and live a vegan lifestyle while maintaining a physique that is commendable. In essence, he is able to cater to a diverse group of individuals and his services are highly sought after as he masterfully creates and develops personalized, unique and healthy life changing plans.

Maddie Lymburner is a 22-year-old vegan, social media influencer who has a deep passion for inspiring and motivating others to move toward a plant-based & healthy lifestyle. She is dedicated to helping others discover a compassionate, active, healthy lifestyle through creating content on all her social media platforms (YouTube, Instagram, Twitter, and www.maddielymburner.com) such as workout videos, vegan lifestyle videos, recipe videos, and her digital cookbook “What I Eat for Life”. Maddie is based in the GTA, and travels with her boyfriend Kyle to places all over the world to experience the culture, and immerse in nature, all whilst documenting it on YouTube. Maddie has spent the past 5 years committing her time to pursue her passion for plant foods, and the past 3 on social media.

Candice Hutchings is host and co-creator of The Edgy Veg, a YouTube phenomenon with over 200,000 subscribers. The Edgy Veg is a delicious vegan and vegetarian movement catering to the forward-thinking meal-creators of the often-boring veg community. Instead of salads and smoothies, Candice Hutchings chooses to re-purpose familiar favorites, by recreating childhood cravings for an audience with sophisticated palettes and food-nerd obsessions. Decadent desserts, trendy dishes, and fast food favourites-- nothing is off-limits and everything is vegan. Every recipe can be enjoyed by vegans, vegetarians and omnivores alike–they’re Carnivore Approved! As Founder, Creator, Chef and Resident Mad Food Scientist, Candice is the brains and creativity behind The Edgy Veg. Candice develops all of the food creations and is the main on-screen YouTube talent bringing delicious vegan recipes to the world. Candice resides in Toronto, Ontario.

Anne-Marie Campbell is the Founder of the free vegan lifestyle website MeatFreeAthlete.com, which she launched in 2012, and the Creator of ShirtActivism.com, an awareness apparel brand, where a portion of each sale is donated to animal charities. She is a vegan athlete & animal rights activist from Toronto, and has been a competitive athlete for over 20 years. She is a hockey player, and a Black Belt in Tae Kwon Do. Her mission is to help people go, or stay, vegan.

Lisa Le is the creator behind The Viet Vegan, a vegan and ethical lifestyle food blog and Youtube channel. She documents her plant-based life; sharing about delicious food, her eczema-healing journey, and mental health. Lisa always aims to advocate for veganism with an intersectional approach: creating vegan content with an environmentally-conscious, LGBTQ+ inclusive, self-critical and feminist lens.

Zale is a Grammy Nominated and Award Winning Song Writer and Producer, who advocates for the vegan lifestyle, and animal rights. To date, Zale has produced for Drake, Kendrick Lamar, Kanye West, Eminem Nicki Minaj, PartyNextDoor and many other highly regarded musicians and artists. His work has been nominated for multiple Grammy Awards and Juno Awards. In 2015, Zale was awarded a SOCAN Award for Pop Song of the Year.

Exclusive offers mentioned in this video from local companies include:

Urbivore: use code "LOVE" for a FREE Upcycled Yoga Mat Strap + FREE shipping in Canada! The mat strap (valued at $14.00 USD) will automatically be included in your purchase as a gift when you apply the code at checkout. Visit the Urbivore website here!

BIO RAW - use code “LOVE” for 25% OFF every meal plan order you place on www.bioraw.ca. Vegan and Certified Organic meal delivery across the Greater Toronto Area.

Thank you to the Toronto Vegetarian Association for the opportunity to organize and host this panel, and a special thanks to all of the panelists!

Much love,

#lovewildlivefree

This post is not sponsored. I only share products that I personally use and that are of the highest integrity. The promo codes provided are affiliate codes, which means that if you purchase product using my code I’ll get a commission. Don’t worry – the price doesn't increase if you use my link - you'll receive a discount, while helping to support the free content that I share.

To work with Avra and Love Wild Live Free on collaborations, sponsored posts and reviews please get in touch on the Contact page!

My dear friend Sue designs the most gorgeous minimalist jewelry, which is always 100% cruelty-free, handcrafted using genuine gemstones, sterling silver and 14k gold, and most importantly, made with love. I adore everything about the line, especially the vegan messages that are integrated into many of the pieces. Her beautiful and always on-trend collection features high quality pieces that are made to last.

As a special offer for my readers I've collaborated with Jewels by SJB for an exclusive discount: use code "LOVE" for 10% OFF your next purchase withJewels By SJB- it never expires!

Sue is a compassionate vegan who is on a mission to spread the message of compassion and veganism through her designs, thoughtful blog posts, and by sharing delicious food inspiration in her daily Instagram stories. You can read Sue's vegan story here to learn more about her vegan journey! When you make a purchase from Jewels by SJB, you're not only helping to spread the vegan message, but you're also helping to save animals in need. With each purchase, a portion of profits go to The Animal House located in Ocho Rios, Jamaica.

I'm SO in love with my 'VEGAN' Button Necklace in gold by Jewels by SJB! This hand stamped 'button' is strung on a delicate chain with a micro gem drop of your choice at the clasp - it's one of my favourite pieces!

Jewels by SJB is a collection of hand forged, cruelty free jewels made with attention to detail out of my home studio in Toronto, ON. I’m passionate about creating pieces that are not only cruelty free but also share the vegan message through hand stamping. 

— Sue, Jewels by SJB

Share you message with the world around you by adorning yourself with VEGAN stamped vibes! I'm wearing the Wide Hand Stamped Cuff in sterling silver by Jewels by SJB.

Vegan Waffles + Jewels might be one of the best combinations ever! I've layered the gold-filled gem drop in 14-k fill necklace and 'v' disc 14k gold necklace (which can be customized with your initial!) by Jewels by SJB.

Jewels by SJB offers FREE SHIPPING in North America. Don't forget to use my promo code "LOVE" for 10% off lovelies!

I only share products that I personally use and that are of the highest integrity. The promo codes provided are affiliate codes, which means that if you purchase product using my code I’ll get a commission. Don’t worry – the price doesn't increase if you use my link - you'll receive a discount, while helping to support the free content that I share.

To work with Avra and Love Wild Live Free on collaborations, sponsored posts and reviews please get in touch on the Contact page!

Vegan Social Events, hosted The Toronto Vegan Social Pop-Up Event this past September, in Toronto. This annual event brought together a high vibe group of influencers, media makers, the community and local companies for delicious vegan eats & drinks, sustainable shopping, music, and inspiring presentations by special guests. Our guest speakers included cookbook author and YouTuber Candice Hutchings of The Edgy Veg, Sustainability Experts Carly Bergman & Brenden Fitzgerald of The Sustainable Duo, and clothing designer Jacky Wasserman of BEETxBEET.

The evening featured a silent auction with vegan & cruelty-free prizes, in support of the event Charity Partner Wishing Well Sanctuary, a farmed animal sanctuary located in Bradford, Ontario. The rescue pigs of @citypigsto also joined the event as special guests, including Persephone a potbelly and Truman a mini pig.

Our guests received $25 in gift certificates from Fresh Restaurants, Il Fornello and Panago Pizza, as well as complimentary pizza at the event! We also distributed a limited number of swag bags containing vegan goodies valued at $100 - details listed in the Swag Bag section below.

Special guests and local-Toronto vegan influencers Anne-Marie Campbell of the Meat Free Athlete and Lisa Le of the Viet Vegan. Photo by: Two Market Girls.

We were thrilled to have the rescue pigs of @citypigsto joining at the Vegan Social Pop-Up Event, including Persephone, the friendliest potbelly, pictured above. Photo by: Jairo Lop3z Productions.

Find the full photo album with all of the photos from this event on Facebook.

Sustainability Behind Every Event

At Vegan Social Events, we believe that veganism and sustainability go hand-in-hand. Animal agriculture plays a significant role as a contributing cause of serious environmental issues including, pollution, greenhouse gas emissions, species extinction, ocean dead zones, and rainforest destruction, just to name a few. As consumers, we can take the power into our own hands by voting with our dollar every time we make a purchase.

We worked closely with all of our vendors to make this a zero / minimal waste event. We requested that of our vendors considered the environment by limiting the number of boxes, plastic, and other waste that may be produced from their booths. We also encouraged our guests to bring their own reusable containers, cutlery, metal/glass straws, reusable bottles and bags. Every little bit counts!

If you would like to learn more about the environmental issues that are related to animal agriculture pleasevisit www.cowspiracy.com/facts.

THE CHARITY

Vegan Social Events are all about bringing the community together and supporting organizations that are working in the areas of animal rights protection, and the promotion of the vegan lifestyle, as well as sustainability initiatives. We are proud to have Wishing Well Sanctuary, a farmed animal sanctuary located in Bradford, Ontario, as our event charity partner. Wishing Well is home to rescued farmed animals, including, cows, pigs, chickens, sheep, goats, donkeys, and horses, who will live out their natural lives at Sanctuary.

What we love about Wishing Well Sanctuary is that they have a strong focus on education, with guided tours that are open to the public and school groups, as well as summer camps and wellness programs. Education is key to progressing the vegan movement - the more informed we are as consumers, the better our choices will be. Sanctuaries like Wishing Well give individuals the opportunity to meet and interact with animals that they might otherwise never meet and inspire compassion towards all living beings.

This event featured a silent auction that raised just over $700 for Wishing Well Sanctuary!

Sanctuary tours are held from March through November and offer a great opportunity to interact with the Wishing Well family. Photo by Eh Vegan.

Il Fornello, an event sponsor, generously donated a booth space to Animal Rights Toronto, an online platform with resources relating to animal rights issues and and a calendar of events for Toronto and surrounding areas. Photo by: Aaron Fisher.

This event featured a silent auction with vegan & cruelty-free prizes and 100% of the funds raised were donated to Wishing Well Sanctuary. Photo by: Aaron Fisher.

Canine Haven Rescue also joined the event to help raise awareness about their organization which rescues dogs from Mexico, Dominican Republic, Saudi Arabia, Nepal, North America and any local surrenders. Canine Haven is a non-profit organization that is run only by volunteers.

SPECIAL GUEST SPEAKERS

This year’s Vegan Social Pop-Up Event featured an inspiring line-up of special guest speakers throughout the evening, covering vegan cooking, sustainable living and eco-friendly fashion!

- How to Beet Fast Fashion -

- EverydaySustainable Swaps -

We were thrilled to have cookbook author and YouTuber Candice Hutchings of The Edgy Veg join us with a Vegan Kitchen Essentials Round-Up!

Clothing designer Jacky Wasserman of BEETxBEET shared all about sustainable fashion and tips on what to look for when adding to your wardrobe!

The Sustainable Duo joined the event with a presentation on everyday sustainable alternatives for zero waste living.

FOOD + DRINKS

Vegan Social Events are known for featuring Food & Drink vendors who provide complimentary tasting items for guests to enjoy. Guests enjoyed sample sized servings of delicious vegan cheeses, superfoods, desserts, snacks, as well as a variety of drinks from our fabulous vendors. Our Food and Drink Vendors also had full size and “take-home” items available for sale.

VEGAN + ETHICAL + SUSTAINABLE GOODS

Sustainability has played a strong role in all of our events and we are proud to have included lifestyle vendors who showcased eco-friendly and cruelty-free lifestyle products. Guests had the opportunity to meet the creators behind the brands and learn all about products that we can all feel good about supporting!

THANKS TO OUR EVENT SPONSORS

Il Fornello- If you're looking for a restaurant with an abundance of vegan options, Il Fornello has you covered with their new vegan menu which features wood fired pizzastopped with Nuts For Cheese Blue Cheese & Daiya Foods cheese.

BIO RAW- Food designed for superior nutrition, without sacrificing the enjoyment of a satisfying meal. Everything we make is Certified Organic, Gluten-Free, Nut-Free.

Special thanks to Fresh Restaurants for providing $10 gift cards for each of our guests, Il Fornellofor providing certificates for complimentary Avocado Caesar Salad with Parmesan (valued at $10), andPanago Pizza for providing each guest with a $5 Gift Card, as well as complimentary pizza at the event.

SWAG BAG SPONSORS

This event also featured swag bags with contents valued at over $100. Our events are well-known for having generous swag bags filled with high-quality items, including full size and sample size products, as well as promo vouchers.

An abundance of goodies from the event including swag bag items, and purchased products. Photo by: myhappyliltummy.

The reusable canvas bags that were used for our Swag Bags were generously provided by Organic Garage.

Photographers + Videographers

Special thanks to all of the photographers and videographers who captured the event! Photo highlights have been included in this article and you can view the full album on Facebook. Please credit the individual photographers (noted in the description of each photo) when sharing and/or using these photos.

As Seen On

The Viet Vegan - Chatty What I Eat In A Day #24 // Vegan Social Events

Avra Epstein and her team from Vegan Social Events, which includes vegan event organizer Little by Little as well as local vegan YouTubers, The Two Market Girls, take veganism, sustainability and good times, very seriously.

And I’m glad they do, cause they throw a hell of a party.

I can honestly say I do not believe I have ever eaten so many varieties of vegan cheese in one evening.

MEET THE TEAM!

The team for our September 6th Vegan Social Events is comprised of vegans who are passionate about the lifestyle! We are so lucky to be joined by such talented and compassionate individuals. Our events would not be possible without their hard work and dedication!

Avra Epstein - Vegan Social Events Creator and Events Producer. Vegan Social Events is a series of 100% vegan and sustainable events that bring together influencers, media makers, the community and local companies for delicious vegan eats & drinks, sustainable shopping, and more!

Sarah Janson - Event Planning Assistance. Sarah, pictured above at Wishing Well Farm Sanctuary, is the founder of Little By Little IC. As Canada’s first exclusively vegan event planner, Sarah aims to make vegan food, beverage and vendors more accessible. She is also certified in plant-based nutrition and provides health, wellness and lifestyle coaching.

Katherine Sousa - Publicity & Media Assistant. Katherine works full time in Public Relations and is also one-half of the Two Market Girls. Check out their YouTube channel for awesome recipes and all things vegan!

Lara Graham - Event Assistant & Hostess. Lara is a RYT-200 hour Vinyasa/Hatha yoga instructor. She works full time in the project management field.

THANK YOU!

Thank you to everyone who helped make this event a success! I love and appreciate all who were involved. It was so inspiring to see so many great people from our vegan community come together for this wonderful evening.

Don't forget to check out the full photo album from this event on Facebook! Please credit the individual photographers (noted in the description of each photo) when sharing and/or using these photos.

This Toronto Vegan Social and this post was in collaboration with all of the companies and individuals listed above. All products and promotional items will be kindly gifted for the event. I only share products that I personally use and that are made with the highest integrity.

To work with Avra and Love Wild Live Free on collaborations, reviews and sponsored posts please get in touch on the Contact page!

]]>Event Recap: Toronto Vegan Social Pop-Up Event - September 2018Event Announcement: Toronto Vegan Social Pop-Up Event - September 6/18Vegan SocialLoveWildLiveFreeFri, 24 Aug 2018 18:34:19 +0000http://www.lovewildlivefree.com/blog/toronto-vegan-social-pop-up-201854a6d2a3e4b04f1bf4c62bac:54a6d2fae4b04f5956f486e3:5b7f070c1ae6cf162dc47b1eVegan Social Events, is back this September with The 3rd Annual Vegan
Social Pop-Up, an exclusive Food + Drink Tasting and Private Shopping
Event! Join us for an evening celebrating all things vegan & sustainable.
Our Charity Partner is Wishing Well Sanctuary, a farmed animal sanctuary
located in Bradford, Ontario.You're invited to Vegan Social Event's 3rd Annual Pop-Up, an evening celebrating all things vegan & sustainable!

Eat. Mingle. Shop Consciously.

Vegan Social Events, is back this September with The 3rd Annual Vegan Social Pop-Up, an exclusive Food + Drink Tasting and Private Shopping Event! Join us for this special event celebrating all things vegan & sustainable.

Vegan Social Events is proud to announce that our Charity Partner for this event is Wishing Well Sanctuary, a farmed animal sanctuary located in Bradford, Ontario. This annual event always brings together a fantastic group of influencers, media makers, the community and local companies for delicious vegan eats & drinks, sustainable shopping, music, and presentations by special guests.

Vegan Social Events are known for featuring Food & Drink vendors who provide complimentary tasting items for guests to enjoy. Our Food and Drink Vendors will also have full size and “take-home” items available for sale. Sustainability has also played a strong role in all of our events and we are proud to be including lifestyle vendors, who will be showcasing eco-friendly and cruelty-free lifestyle products.

Swag Bags (valued at $100+!) are guaranteed to the first 80 guests who purchase tickets. We've also added an extra block of tickets with swag bags due to popular demand. Our events are well-known for having generous swag bags filled with an abundance of high-quality items, including full size and sample size products, as well as promo vouchers. Keep reading to see a full list of items.

Tickets are extremely limited for this event. Be sure to reserve yours here to avoid disappointment! Please note that tickets can only be purchased online, in advance of the event.

ALL ABOUT VEGAN SOCIAL EVENTS

Vegan Social Events hosts 100% vegan and sustainable events that bring together influencers, media makers, the community and local companies for delicious vegan eats & drinks, sustainable shopping, and more!

In September 2016, Avra from Love Wild Live Free, hosted the first ever Toronto Vegan Social event, bringing together influencers and media makers for a celebration of the local thriving vegan scene. This event was unique to the vegan community and well received by all who were involved. The Vegan Social Events in July and September 2017, were open to the public and completely sold out - with line-ups out the door! The Sustainable Block Party + Pop-Up Market in July 2018, was hugely successful and featured James Aspey, an Australian Animal Rights Activist, as the keynote speaker.

Let's Make This Toronto's Most Sustainable Event Yet!

At Vegan Social Events, we believe that veganism and sustainability go hand-in-hand. Animal agriculture plays a significant role as a contributing cause of serious environmental issues including, pollution, greenhouse gas emissions, species extinction, ocean dead zones, and rainforest destruction, just to name a few.

As consumers, we can take the power into our own hands by voting with our dollar every time we make a purchase.

We can also make sustainable choices when it comes to the ways in which the items we purchase are packaged, by selecting products with zero packaging or compostable packaging, and by using reusable items like cloth shopping bags and produce bags.

All of our vendors will be working with us to make this a zero / minimal waste event. We have requested that vendors consider the environment when preparing for this event by limiting the number of boxes, plastic, and other waste that may be produced from their booths.

We are excited to share that we will have Zero Waste Bulk joining us with sustainable alternatives like stainless steel containers and safety razors, as well as Bare Market with package-free goods, including body and home care items! Be sure to BYOC: Bring Your Own Containers! Think reusable bags, glass jars, empty (vegan!) yogurt containers, cutlery, metal/glass straws, reusable bottles and bags. Every bit helps the goal of zero waste!

If you would like to learn more about the environmental issues that are related to animal agriculture pleasevisit www.cowspiracy.com/facts.

THE VENUE

As this event continues to grow each year, we have secured a larger venue space at 918 Bathurst, an arts and culture sanctuary in the Annex Neighbourhood, located in downtown Toronto.

Visit our vendors in The Great Hall - a large, natural redwood auditorium that boasts a soaring cathedral ceiling, and in The Gallery - this sun-filled room which is located adjacent to the Great Hall.

The venue is TTC Accessible, and a short walk from Bathurst Street and Bloor Street. Public parking available nearby.

THE CHARITY

Vegan Social Events are all about bringing the community together and supporting organizations that are working in the areas of animal rights protection, and the promotion of the vegan lifestyle, as well as sustainability initiatives. We are proud to share that our Charity Partner for this event is Wishing Well Sanctuary, a farmed animal sanctuary located in Bradford, Ontario. It is home to rescued farmed animals, including, cows, pigs, chickens, sheep, goats, donkeys, and horses, who will live out their natural lives at Sanctuary.

What we love about Wishing Well Sanctuary is that they have a strong focus on education, with guided tours that are open to the public and school groups, as well as summer camps and wellness programs. Education is key to progressing the vegan movement - the more informed we are as consumers, the better our choices will be. Sanctuaries like Wishing Well give individuals the opportunity to meet and interact with animals that they might otherwise never meet and inspire compassion towards all living beings.

This event will feature a silent auction with over $1,500 in vegan & cruelty-free prizes! 100% of the funds raised to be donated to Wishing Well Sanctuary.

Wishing Well Sanctuary is located just north of "Ontario's food basket" (the Holland Marsh) near Bradford, Ontario. Just a mere 45 minutes from central Toronto. Photo by Eh Vegan.

Sanctuary tours are held from March through November and offer a great opportunity to interact with the Wishing Well family. Photo by Avra Epstein.

Vegan Social Events is proud to support Wishing Well Sanctuary, a Federally registered charitable organization. Photo by Eh Vegan.

Canine Haven Rescuewill also be joining the event! The organization rescues dogs from Mexico, Dominican Republic, Saudi Arabia, Nepal, North America and any local surrenders. Canine Haven is a non- profit organization that is run only by volunteers. None of their dogs are boarded in kennels upon their arrival, all dogs are kept in temporary foster homes until they are officially adopted.

SPECIAL GUEST SPEAKERS

This event will feature special guest speaking engagements throughout the evening, covering vegan cooking, sustainable living and eco-friendly fashion! Speakers at the Stage in The Great Hall will include:

- EverydaySustainable Swaps -

- How to Beet Fast Fashion -

We are thrilled to have cookbook author and YouTuber Candice Hutchings of The Edgy Veg joining us with a Vegan Kitchen Essentials Round-Up!

Clothing designer Jacky Wasserman of BEETxBEET will be sharing all about sustainable fashion and tips on what to look for when adding to your wardrobe!

The Sustainable Duo will be joining the event with a presentation on everyday sustainable alternatives for zero waste living.

FOOD + DRINKS

Vegan Social Events are known for featuring Food & Drink vendors who provide complimentary tasting items for guests to enjoy. Our Food and Drink Vendors will also have full size and “take-home” items available for sale. Come hungry!

Gluten Free Options: *Vendors with Gluten-Free options are marked with a star.

Please note: we have made our best efforts to mark those companies who have gluten-free offerings, however, guests with gluten sensitivities are advised to double check with each vendor for ingredients lists. Panago Pizza will be providing complimentary pizzas with their Gluten Smart Crusts, there is a chance of cross-contamination, as they are prepared in an open concept kitchen. These pizzas are not recommended for those who are highly intolerant of gluten or celiac.

Check back for updates, more vendors will be added soon!

VEGAN + ETHICAL + SUSTAINABLE GOODS

Sustainability has played a strong role in all of our events and we are proud to be including lifestyle vendors, who will be showcasing eco-friendly and cruelty-free lifestyle products. A selection of sustainable, eco-friendly and cruelty-free products that are all of the highest quality will be available for sale. Meet the creators behind the brands and learn all about products that you can feel good about supporting!

THANKS TO OUR EVENT SPONSORS

Il Fornello- If you're looking for a restaurant with an abundance of vegan options, Il Fornello has you covered with their new vegan menu which features wood fired pizzastopped with Nuts For Cheese Blue Cheese & Daiya Foods cheese.

Il Fornello has generously donated a booth space to Animal Rights Toronto, an online platform with resources relating to animal rights issues and and a calendar of events for Toronto and surrounding areas.

BIO RAW- Food designed for superior nutrition, without sacrificing the enjoyment of a satisfying meal. Everything we make is Certified Organic, Gluten-Free, Nut-Free.

Special thanks to Fresh Restaurants for providing $10 gift cards for each of our guests, andPanago Pizza for providing each guest with a $5 Gift Card and complimentary pizza at the event.

SWAG BAG SPONSORS

This event will feature swag bags with contents valued at over $100 - and we are still adding items! Swag bags are guaranteed to the first 80 guests who purchase tickets. We've also added an extra block of tickets with swag bags due to popular demand. Our events are well-known for having generous swag bags filled with an abundance of high-quality items, including full size and sample size products, as well as promo vouchers.

The reusable canvas bags that will be used for our Swag Bags have been generously provided by Organic Garage.

MEET THE TEAM!

The team for our September 6th Vegan Social Events is comprised of vegans who are passionate about the lifestyle! We are so lucky to be joined by such talented and compassionate individuals. Our events would not be possible without their hard work and dedication!

Avra Epstein - Vegan Social Events Creator and Events Producer. Vegan Social Events is a series of 100% vegan and sustainable events that bring together influencers, media makers, the community and local companies for delicious vegan eats & drinks, sustainable shopping, and more!

Sarah Janson - Event Planning Assistance. Sarah, pictured above at Wishing Well Farm Sanctuary, is the founder of Little By Little IC. As Canada’s first exclusively vegan event planner, Sarah aims to make vegan food, beverage and vendors more accessible. She is also certified in plant-based nutrition and provides health, wellness and lifestyle coaching.

Katherine Sousa - Publicity & Media Assistant. Katherine works full time in Public Relations and is also one-half of the Two Market Girls. Check out their YouTube channel for awesome recipes and all things vegan!

Lara Graham - Event Assistant & Hostess. Lara is a RYT-200 hour Vinyasa/Hatha yoga instructor. She works full time in the project management field.

Please note: 918 Bathurst is not wheelchair accessible. The building was designed in the 1950s, and the spaces are accessed via several short flights of stairs. 918 Bathurst is in the process of raising funds to increase the accessibility of their space and is committed to making 918 Bathurst an accessible venue. Please feel free to contact us via the contact page for any accessibility questions/concerns.

Thanks for your support!

#LoveWildLiveFree

This Toronto Vegan Social and this post was in collaboration with all of the companies and individuals listed above. All products and promotional items will be kindly gifted for the event. I only share products that I personally use and that are made with the highest integrity.

To work with Avra and Love Wild Live Free on collaborations, reviews and sponsored posts please get in touch on the Contact page!

]]>Event Announcement: Toronto Vegan Social Pop-Up Event - September 6/18Event Recap: The Sustainable Block Party + Pop-Up Market - July 2018Vegan SocialLoveWildLiveFreeFri, 10 Aug 2018 00:49:54 +0000http://www.lovewildlivefree.com/blog/sustainable-block-party-recap54a6d2a3e4b04f1bf4c62bac:54a6d2fae4b04f5956f486e3:5b58d3280e2e72cf69295c76Vegan Social Events, hosted The SUSTAINABLE Block Party + Pop-Up Market,
this past July 2018, in Toronto. James Aspey, an Australian Animal Rights
Activist who is known for taking a 1-year vow of silence to raise awareness
about animal cruelty joined the event as keynote speaker. This exciting
event brought together influencers, media makers, the community and local
companies for delicious vegan eats & drinks, sustainable shopping, a silent
auction featuring over $2,000 in prizes, and more.Guests at the July 2018 Vegan Social Event enjoyed delicious food + drinks and eco-friendly shopping at our BIGGEST event yet!

Vegan Social Events, hosted The SUSTAINABLE Block Party + Pop-Up Market, this past July 2018, in Toronto. James Aspey, an Australian Animal Rights Activist who is known for taking a 1-year vow of silence to raise awareness about animal cruelty joined the event as keynote speaker. This exciting event brought together influencers, media makers, the community and local companies for delicious vegan eats & drinks, sustainable shopping, a silent auction featuring over $2,000 in prizes, and more.

Our generous sponsors, including our Stage Sponsor Vegan Stokes Cheese and Venue Partner Organic Garage, helped us make this event FREE for all to attend! This was the biggest Vegan Social Event yet, thanks to all of the wonderful vendors, special guests, attendees, volunteers, photographers, and community organizations who supported us.

James Aspey, an Australian Animal Rights Activist who is known for taking a 1-year vow of silence to raise awareness about animal cruelty joined The Sustainable Block Party + Pop-Up Market as keynote speaker. Photo by: LOF Photography.

Vendors with sustainable, eco-conscious lifestyle products also joined the event, including Second Season, with pre-loved brand name clothing. Photo by Kristy LaPointe + Plant Based Kristy on Instagram.

There was no shortage of vegan eats, including complimentary tasting items! Wholly Veggie sampled a variety of veggie burgers for guests to enjoy. Photo by: LOF Photography.

Culcherd joined the event with their delicious dairy-free, organic cashew cheezes, and butterless butter. Photo by: Two Market Girls.

Toronto's Most Sustainable Event Yet!

At Vegan Social Events, we believe that veganism and sustainability go hand-in-hand. Animal agriculture plays a significant role as a contributing cause of serious environmental issues including, pollution, greenhouse gas emissions, species extinction, ocean dead zones, and rainforest destruction, just to name a few. As consumers, we can take the power into our own hands by voting with our dollar every time we make a purchase.

We worked closely with all of our vendors to make this a zero / minimal waste event. We requested that of our vendors considered the environment by limiting the number of boxes, plastic, and other waste that may be produced from their booths. We also encouraged our guests to bring their own reusable containers, cutlery, metal/glass straws, reusable bottles and bags. Every little bit counts!

If you would like to learn more about the environmental issues that are related to animal agriculture pleasevisit www.cowspiracy.com/facts.

OUR VENUE PARTNER

The venue for The Sustainable Block Party + Pop-Up Market was generously donated by Organic Garage. A special thank you to Organic Garage for allowing us to turn the outside space at their Junction store location into a mini-festival space!

Organic Garage sells the best quality organic and all natural products, including 100% certified organic produce and many vegan options at everyday affordable prices, so customers can shop for Healthier Food For Less! Photo by Rachel Parent.

There are many bulk options available at the Organic Garage Junction location, including their newly added bulk spices, teas, oil and vinegar offerings. Photo by Rachel Parent.

Special Guests at the Stokes Cheese Stage

Vegan Social Events was proud to feature special guest speaking engagements and panel discussions, including keynote speaker James Aspey, an Australian Animal Rights Activist and cookbook author, vegan blogger and YouTube creator Sam Turnbull of It Doesn't Taste Like Chicken. We were thrilled to have T.O.A join the Stokes Cheese Stage as our DJ.

Vegan + Ethical + Sustainable Goods

A selection of sustainable, eco-friendly and cruelty-free lifestyle products were showcased and available for sale at The Sustainable Block Party and Pop-Up Market. Guests had the opportunity to meet the creators behind the brands and learn all about their products. Here's who joined us:

Silent Auction

We raised close to $1,500 for Tree Canadathanks to the generous support of all of the companies listed below who donated fabulous prizes for the silent auction and to all of the community members who participated! Tree Canada is a registered charity proudly dedicated to planting and nurturing trees. For 25 years, the charity has engaged communities, governments, corporations and individuals in the pursuit of a greener and healthier living environment for Canadians. The charity has greened more than 600 schoolyards and planted more than 10,000 edible fruit and nut trees and shrubs in communities all across Canada to help fight urban food insecurity.

Thanks again to all of the wonderful companies who made generous contributions to the silent auction:

Photographers + Videographers

Special thanks to all of the photographers and videographers who captured the day! Photo highlights have been included in this article and you can view the full album with over 415 photos on Facebook. Please credit the individual photographers (noted in the description of each photo) when sharing and/or using these photos.

THANK YOU!

Thank you to everyone who helped make this event a success! I love and appreciate all who were involved. It was so inspiring to see so many great people from our vegan community come together for our biggest event yet.

This Toronto Vegan Social and this post was in collaboration with all of the companies and individuals listed above. All products and promotional items will be kindly gifted for the event. I only share products that I personally use and that are made with the highest integrity.

To work with Avra and Love Wild Live Free on collaborations, reviews and sponsored posts please get in touch on the Contact page!

]]>Event Recap: The Sustainable Block Party + Pop-Up Market - July 2018Event Announcement: The Sustainable Block Party + Pop-Up Market - Saturday, July 7/18Vegan SocialLoveWildLiveFreeSat, 09 Jun 2018 19:36:23 +0000http://www.lovewildlivefree.com/blog/2018/6/9/the-sustainable-block-party54a6d2a3e4b04f1bf4c62bac:54a6d2fae4b04f5956f486e3:5b1c0542562fa7f5d37138eaVegan Social Events, created by Love Wild Live Free, is back with The
Sustainable Block Party + Pop-Up Market an event celebrating all things
vegan & sustainable! This all-ages event will be open to the public and is
FREE for all to attend! Keep reading for all of the details. This is an
event not to be missed!You're invited to Vegan Social Event's upcoming Block Party + Pop-Up Market, an event celebrating all things sustainable!

Vegan Social Events, created by Love Wild Live Free, is back with The SUSTAINABLE Block Party + Pop-Up Market! This all-agsees, family-friendly event will be open to the public and is FREE for all to attend! This exciting event will bring together influencers, media makers, the community and local companies for delicious vegan eats & drinks, sustainable shopping, a silent auction featuring over $1,800 in prizes to be won, and more.

We are thrilled to have special guest speakers joining the event including, James Aspey, an Australian Animal Rights Activist who is known for taking a 1-year vow of silence to raise awareness about animal cruelty, and cookbook author Sam Turnbull of It Doesn't Taste Like Chicken. Keep reading to learn more about all of our special guests!

Thanks to our generous sponsors we are excited to be making this event FREE for all to attend! Past ticketed Vegan Social Events have sold out, with line-ups out the door. This will be our biggest event yet and we would love to have you join us!

All about Vegan Social Events

In September 2016, Love Wild Live Free hosted the first ever Toronto Vegan Social Event, bringing together influencers and media makers for a celebration of the local thriving vegan scene. This event was unique to the vegan community and well received by all who were involved. Vegan Social Events in July and September of 2017 were open to the public and completely sold out - with line-ups out the door!

Let's Make This Toronto's Most Sustainable Event Yet!

At Vegan Social Events, we believe that veganism and sustainability go hand-in-hand. Animal agriculture plays a significant role as a contributing cause of serious environmental issues including, pollution, greenhouse gas emissions, species extinction, ocean dead zones, and rainforest destruction, just to name a few.

As consumers, we can take the power into our own hands by voting with our dollar every time we make a purchase.

We can also make sustainable choices when it comes to the ways in which the items we purchase are packaged, by selecting products with zero packaging or compostable packaging, and by using reusable items like cloth shopping bags and produce bags.

All of our vendors will be working with us to make this a zero / minimal waste event. We have requested that vendors consider the environment when preparing for this event by limiting the number of boxes, plastic, and other waste that may be produced from their booths. We are also encouraging our guests to bring their own reusable containers, cutlery, metal/glass straws, reusable bottles and bags. Every little bit counts!

If you would like to learn more about the environmental issues that are related to animal agriculture pleasevisit www.cowspiracy.com/facts.

THE VENUE

The venue has been generously donated by Organic Garage. The event will be held outside at their Junction location, with a beautiful view of the downtown Toronto skyline. Organic Garage's Junction location is celebrating it's 1 year anniversary since its grand opening.

Organic Garage, a store with a healthy conscience. They sell the best quality organic and all natural products, including 100% certified organic produce and many vegan options at everyday affordable prices, so customers can shop for Healthier Food For Less!

THE CHARITY

A portion of the proceeds from this event will be donated to Tree Canada / Arbres Canada, a registered charity proudly dedicated to planting and nurturing trees. For 25 years, the charity has engaged communities, governments, corporations and individuals in the pursuit of a greener and healthier living environment for Canadians.

Since 1992, Tree Canada has greened more than 1,100 urban centres, BIAs, indigenous communities, schools and hospitals throughout Canada. They have greened more than 600 schoolyards, and planted more than 10,000 edible fruit and nut trees and shrubs in communities all across Canada to help fight urban food insecurity.

Special Guests at the Stokes Cheese Stage

This event is proud to feature special guest speaking engagements and panel discussions, including keynote speakerJames Aspey, an Australian Animal Rights Activist and cookbook author, vegan blogger and YouTube creator Sam Turbull of It Doesn't Taste Like Chicken. A BIG thank you to our generous stage sponsor Vegan Stokes Cheese! Make sure to visit their booth at the event - they will have lots of delicious vegan cheese to sample, and will be offering special event pricing on all of their delicious cheeses!

James Aspey, an Australian Animal Rights Activist best known for taking a 1-year vow of silence to raise awareness about animal cruelty, will be joining The Sustainable Block Party + Pop-Up Market as a keynote speaker. Photo coutesy of James Aspey.

We are thrilled to have James Aspey joining us as a keynote speaker. James has overcome a battle with leukaemia, an eating disorder, and drug abuse, to become one of the most well-known animal rights activists in the current movement. He is best known for taking a 1-year vow of silence to raise awareness about animal cruelty, in addition to cycling 5,000 km across Australia and being tattooed for 25 hours straight for charity. James will have his sustainably made activism t-shirts,Increase the Peace Clothing, available for sale at the event.

We are also super excited to have Sam Turnbull, a local Toronto vegan and creator of the popular blog, It Doesn't Taste Like Chicken andYouTube Channel by the same name, joining us as a special guest! Sam will be hosting a talk on how she went vegan coming from a family of chefs, butchers, and hunters. The talk will be followed by a book signing of her debut cookbook Fuss-Free Vegan: 101 Everyday Comfort Food Favorites, Veganized. Her cookbook will also be available for sale.

T.O.Awill be joining the Stokes Cheese Stage as our DJ! Hailing from Toronto - T.O.A is a professional singer, songwriter, DJ and entertainer that is often referred to as having a voice that soothes the mind, heals the body, and touches the soul. T.O.A lives her life guided by love and believes in peace and harmony amongst all living and sentient beings. She hopes that through her music, you can feel her energy and find the same state of mind.

Food + Drinks

Complimentary food + drink tasting items will be served throughout the day. Our food and drink vendors will also have delicious items for sale too. Come hungry!

Vegan + Ethical + Sustainable Goods

A selection of sustainable, eco-friendly and cruelty-free products that are all of the highest quality will be showcased and available for sale. Meet the creators behind the brands and learn all about products that you can feel good about supporting!

Silent Auction

This event will feature a silent auction with over $2,000 in Prizes! 100% of the funds raised to be donated to Tree Canada. Be sure to stop by the main tent to check out all of the amazing prizes to be won!

This Toronto Vegan Social and this post was in collaboration with all of the companies and individuals listed above. All products and promotional items will be kindly gifted for the event. I only share products that I personally use and that are made with the highest integrity.

To work with Avra and Love Wild Live Free on collaborations, reviews and sponsored posts please get in touch on the Contact page!

]]>Event Announcement: The Sustainable Block Party + Pop-Up Market - Saturday, July 7/18VEGAN at Natural Products Expo West 2018 RECAP + NEW YouTube Channel!#goveganLoveWildLiveFreeSun, 01 Apr 2018 21:16:39 +0000http://www.lovewildlivefree.com/blog/expo-west-201854a6d2a3e4b04f1bf4c62bac:54a6d2fae4b04f5956f486e3:5ac13841575d1f2de65e6867I returned to the Natural Products Expo in March 2018, in Anaheim, CA, to
check out all of the new vegan products that are about to hit the market!
There was no shortage of exciting vegan products to taste, and cruelty-free
products to try!Expo West 2018 was such a fun experience and I walked away feeling SO optimistic and excited for the future of veganism!

The last few months have been filled with new projects that I can't wait to share, as well as A LOT of traveling! I returned to the Natural Products Expo this March of 2018, in Anaheim, California, to check out all of the new vegan products that are about to hit the market! Expo West is the world’s largest natural organic and healthy products event, with 85,000 attendees and 3,521 exhibiting companies from all over the world. There was no shortage of exciting vegan products to taste, and cruelty-free products to try!

At the Expo, I had the pleasure of attending the annual Vegan Meet Up and the Vegan Networking Event hosted by Whitney Lauritsen AKA @ecovegangal. I also stopped by the annual Field Roast party which is always a lot of fun. It was so wonderful to see so many familiar faces, as well as connect with super inspiring, like-minded influencers and brands with incredible innovative vegan products. Expo West 2018 was such a fun experience and I walked away feeling SO optimistic and excited for the future of veganism. It was whirlwind weekend and I can’t wait to go again next year! I've included my recap below and I cannot wait for you to check it out!

And I have news to share - I have officially launched my YouTube channel! It has been a long time coming, and I am thrilled to say that my channel is now live. On this channel you can expect more easy vegan recipes, travel vlogs, cruelty-free beauty, and ethical & sustainable lifestyle content. I want to inspire you to choose non-violence by choosing vegan, so that we can end suffering and save our planet. I'd love for you to join my growing community of like-minded, compassionate people by SUBSCRIBING to my channel and sharing my new video on social media!

Check out my recap video here:

There were so many amazing, innovative products at the Expo, many of which didn't make it into my video. If you'd like to see a more extensive recap of (almost!) everything I tried and learned about, visit my Instagram page here and check out my "EXPO WEST" Story Highlights!

Here are a few of my faves from the Expo if you'd like to try them out:

Thanks for watching my first YouTube video. Don't forget to don't forget to hit that LIKE button and SUBSCRIBE to my channel!

Much Love ❤️ Avra @lovewildlivefree

I only share products that I personally use and that are made with the highest integrity. The Four Sigmatic promo code and Amazon links provided are affiliate links, which means that if you visit those sites through these links and purchase product, I’ll get a commission. Don’t worry – the price doesn't increase if you use my link - you'll receive a discount, while helping to support the free content that I share.

To work with Avra and Love Wild Live Free on collaborations, sponsored posts and reviews please get in touch on the Contact page!

]]>VEGAN at Natural Products Expo West 2018 RECAP + NEW YouTube Channel!The Best Vegan Food in Tel Aviv, Israel - What we ate!IsraelLoveWildLiveFreeThu, 07 Dec 2017 21:15:22 +0000http://www.lovewildlivefree.com/blog/vegan-food-guide-tel-aviv54a6d2a3e4b04f1bf4c62bac:54a6d2fae4b04f5956f486e3:5a134bc5e4966be084d5a124Israel is vegan heaven. I have traveled a lot and dined at restaurants all
over the world, and hands-down Israel had some of the best food that I have
ever tasted to date! The city of Tel Aviv has what feel endless options
when it comes to dining out as a vegan. Keep reading for all of my food
recommendations at to see what we ate in a recent trip to Tel Aviv!The city of Tel Aviv has endless, delicious options when it comes to dining out as a vegan!

My vegan boyfriend who is a total gem and travel buddy-extraordinaire scoped out all of the food spots for our trip to Israel in September 2017. We were completely blown away by all of the amazing vegan options. I have traveled a lot and dined at restaurants all over the world, and hands-down Israel had some of the best food that I have ever tasted to date!

Look for the "Vegan-Friendly" label at businesses and on products that are certified as vegan by the Vegan Friendly Project in Israel. Photo by: Love Wild Live Free.

Israel is vegan heaven. According to Happy Cow, the country has the highest percentage of vegans globally, with an estimated 5 to 8 percent of the entire population being vegan, the majority of whom inhabit Tel Aviv. The Israeli Defense Force even provides vegan meals, and leather-free boots and helmets to vegan soldiers. Tel Aviv even made the list of Happy Cow's 10 Top Vegan Cities in the World.

In our experience the majority of the locals that we met spoke at least some English, and many of the restaurants we visited had English versions of their menus - you just have to ask!

Here are the food spots that we highly recommend you try if you're in Tel Aviv:

Ali Karavan/Abu Hassan – 14 Shivtei Yisrael Street, Jaffa

We arrived in Tel Aviv bright and early, and hungry from the long trip, so we dropped our bags off at our Airbnb and headed out for hummus. A bowl of hummus is typically eaten for breakfast in Israel, but let's be real I could eat hummus any time of the day. Ali Karavan is located in Jaffa, which is an ancient port city located in the southern and oldest part of Tel Aviv. The restaurant was about a 23 minute walk from our Airbnb which was located in the Neve Tzedek neighborhood of Tel Aviv.

Ali Karavan is one of the highest rated humus spots in Tel Aviv, and for good reason! We ordered The Triple: a portion of creamy hummus, ful (fava beans) and masabacha, which can be described as a deconstructed version of hummus made with whole chickpeas. The dish was spiced with cumin, paprika, olive oil, and served with a generous portion of pita, raw onions (a must try with hummus) and some hot pepper sauce on the side. Ali Karavan is a very casual spot. We sat outside on the covered patio which was filled with locals.

The hummus we had during our travels was always served warm - if you've never had your hummus warm you are missing out. After our trip I became obsessed with warm hummus. When we returned from our travels we soaked chickpeas overnight and made this hummus (which has become my go-to recipe) with freshly cooked, warm chickpeas. I only have one regret from my trip to Israel, and that was I didn't eat enough hummus, so I've basically been making up for lost time/hummus.

Zakiem was easily one of our favourite restaurants that we dined at in Tel Aviv. The menu features Persian and Middle Eastern dishes made with fresh ingredients from local farmers that are delivered each morning to the restaurant. The menu offerings change frequently based on what is in season. We ordered the hand-torn fries with homemade mayonnaise. While this might seem like a basic option, the fries and mayo were outstanding and probably some of the that I've ever had. We also had the Greek Fattoush Salad which was served with tomatoes, cucumbers, onions, lettuce, kalamata olives, croutons in garlic confit, "ricotta" cheese, chili and za'atar olive oil. For our main we ordered the Shashuka, an Israeli dish traditionally made with eggs. Zakiem's version was filled with delicious sour dough bread and served with tomato, garlic, chili sauce and tahini. We ended the meal with Malabi (Israeli milk pudding) topped with pomegranate syrup for dessert.

At Zakiem we had the hand-torn fries with homemade mayonnaise, Greek Fattoush Salad and Shashuka filled with sour dough bread and served with tomato, garlic, and chili sauce and tahini. Photo by: Love Wild Live Free.

Not only is the food at Zakiem excellent, but there is also a strong sense of eco-consciousness which really resonated with us. The restaurant was built and designed to be an eco-friendly space, using secondhand materials, dishes and furniture. This eclectic, shabi chic and fine dining restaurant has won various awards and is definitely worth a visit!

Anastasia - 54 Frishman, Tel Aviv

Anastasia is another favourite restaurant from our Tel Aviv food adventures. It is Tel Aviv's first vegan cafe and is best known for their amazing breakfast menu. The cafe is located in the city center and offers healthy options, with raw and gluten-free menu items. All of the food is Instagram-able and equally as delicious. We arrived mid-day and the cafe was packed! We did not have to wait too long to be seated on the patio which wraps around the perimeter of the building and is shaded with huge umbrellas.

We ordered the Open Table Breakfast which is served with an incredible selection of House Spreads (sunflower aioli cream, pesto, cottage “cheese,” turmeric tahini, sun-dried tomatoes and hazelnut butter), Green Salad with vegetables, topped with pumpkin seeds and an olive oil and lemon dressing, as well as a chickpea and corn omelette made with almond milk, herbs and onion, served with house-made bread. The breakfast is also served with your choice of a hot /cold beverage - we got the fresh mint hot tea which is an Israeli classic. This menu item was quite generous and one portion is a good size for sharing if you're ordering other food as well.

We also ordered the Sabaich which is an Israeli sandwich that typically consists of pita stuffed with fried eggplant and hard boiled eggs. Anastasia’s vegan version was filled with polenta balls, potato, eggplant, pickles, tomatoes, onions, parsley, rocket, tahini, and Moroccan matboucha salad (cooked tomatoes, roasted bell peppers, garlic and chili pepper), with chili peppers on the side. I'd highly reccomend this trendy restaurant for brunch before heading down to the beach, which is only a couple of blocks away!

The Open Table Breakfast at Anastasia is served with an incredible selection of House Spreads, a Green Salad, a hummus and corn omelette and a hot / cold beverage. Photo by: Love Wild Live Free.

Anastasia’s vegan version of Sabaich, which is an Israeli sandwich that typically consists of pita stuffed with fried eggplant and hard boiled eggs. Photo by: Love Wild Live Free.

Nanuchka - 30 Lilienblum St, Tel Aviv

Nanchuka is the only fully vegan Georgian cuisine restaurant in the world. Until recently, this restaurant-bar was a conventional Georgian pub that served traditional Georgian food, which is typically rich with meat dishes. In 2014, Nana Shrier, the owner, became a strict vegan and converted the restaurant to vegan, despite being advised against it by friends and business colleagues. According to a BBC article, after Nanchuka made the shift to vegan, Israelis have been flocking to it and business is more successful than ever!

Nanchuka is the only fully vegan Georgian cuisine restaurant in the world. We had the Pchalli - seven healthy Georgian salads and Truffles Hinkali (handmade pastries) filled with different species of mushrooms and truffle purée, with truffle oil and soy yogurt. Photo by: Love Wild Live Free.

We ordered the Pchalli - seven Georgian salads including Badridghani, spicy eggplant, Charhaly, Mangold, Tetry, Lobio and Dolma. We also ordered the Truffles Hinkali (handmade pastries), six dumplings filled with different types of mushrooms and truffle purée, topped with truffle oil alongside soy yogurt. It was phenomenal! The food was excellent, and totally photo-worthy! The restaurant itself is boho-chic, with eclectic decor and is definitely a nice date-night spot. We sat on the patio, with dim lighting and beautiful vines and flowers growing along the back. Inside the restaurant, there's a lively bar that stays open late.

The Vegan Shwarma (HaShwarma HaTivonit) - King George 81, Tel Aviv

I was very excited to visit The Vegan Shwarma because it's been a very long time since I've had shawarma, and it was a favourite when I was growing up! This spot offers inexpensive, but fresh fast food including shawarma, burgers, onion rings, and fries too. The Vegan Shwarma did not disappoint, in fact we liked it so much that we visited twice! On our first visit we ordered the seitan-based shawarma in a pita and for our second visit we ordered the shawarma but without the bread, in a bowl which comes with a side salad. You'll find a bar to the left of the cash where you can add extra sauces, pickles, onions and carrots to your dish. The service was fast and the staff were really friendly.

The Vegan Shawarma of my dreams: Seitan-based shawarma done right at The Vegan Shwarma in Tel Aviv. Photo by Love Wild Live Free.

We liked The Vegan Shawarma so much that we visited twice! On our second visit we ordered the seitan-based shawarma in a bowl which comes with a side salad. Photo by Love Wild Live Free.

The Green Cat (Hatool HaYarok) - 7 Levontin, Tel Aviv

The Green Cat is Israel's first 100% vegan pizza spot. We heard really good things about this quick-serve restaurant, so I was very excited to check it out! We shared a personal pizza which comes with their house-made mozzarella cheese and the choice of two toppings. We ordered half pineapple and handmade pepperoni, and the other half with crumbled seitan and mushrooms. The service was quick and the pizza was excellent. I appreciated that their pizzas are made with fresh ingredients and house-made dough. The crust was on the thinner side which I really enjoyed, as it wasn't to heavy.

The personal size pizzas are great to share as a snack, or individually as a meal. They also have slices that are available, and if you're really hungry there are larger size pizzas that can be made to order (the couple beside us was eating a large pizza and it was really big). This is definitely a lively, casual dining spot. The artwork and decor is really trendy and I would reccomend grabbing a slice if you're in the area!

We ordered a personal pizza with house-made mozzarella cheese, and topped one half with pineapple and handmade pepperoni, and the other half with crumbled seitan and mushrooms.

I loved the atmosphere at The Green Cat. They had good music, very cool decor and I would highly reccomend grabbing a slice if you're in the area! Photo by: Love Wild Live Free.

Carmel Market (Shuk Ha'Carmel) - HaCarmel St, Tel Aviv

I highly reccomend visiting the Carmel Marketplace. This is where we picked up fresh local fruit, bulk nuts and seeds, halva, and we also found an organic health shop called Nizat Ha’duvdevan (Hebrew for “The Cherry Bud”) in the market that had a large bulk section, organic produce, natural beauty and body products, and a lot of vegan prepared foods like cheeses, and mock meats made from seitan and soy.

Hummus HaCarmel - HaCarmel St 11, Tel Aviv

When you visit the Carmel Market, definitely stop at Hummus HaCarmel for some of the best hummus, which is also said to be the cheapest in Tel Aviv. This quick serve restaurant is hidden behind crowds of stalls, but if you map it on your phone you should have no problem locating it. The hummus is a generous serving and comes with handmade pita. It is served warm with your choice of toppings - our order was topped with ful (fava beans), onions, tahini, chickpeas, finely sliced pickles, hot sauce, olive oil and spices. They do serve boiled egg on their hummus, so be sure to ask them to hold the egg.

Hummus HaCarmel is hidden behind crowds of stalls at the Carmel Market, but if you map it on your phone you should have no problem locating it! Photo by: Love Wild Live Free.

When you visit the Carmel Market, definitely stop at Hummus HaCarmel for some of the best hummus, which is also said to be the cheapest in Tel Aviv.Photo by: Love Wild Live Free.

Falafel Banin Johnny - 2 Tchernikhovski, Tel Aviv

This simple falafel spot is highly rated and known for their falafel sandwiches stuffed with coated fried potatoes. It is within close walking distance from the Carmel Market and a great place to stop after you've done your shopping. At the counter I asked for a recommendation, and the answer I received was "falafel, falafel, falafel," and so I ordered a falafel. The service was quick and our sandwich was made to order. This might have been the best falafel I've ever had! The pita was generously stuffed with fresh ingredients and it was quite inexpensive.

Meshek Barzilay - 6 Ahad Haam St, Neve Tsedek, Tel Aviv

Meshek Barzilay prides itself on using organic ingredients, with an emphasis on seasonal food. The restaurant itself has a large patio, a bar area and lots of indoor seating, and is located in the Neve Tzedek neighborhood, which was where our Airbnb was also located. The menu is fully vegan except at breakfast. We visited the restaurant for dinner and ordered the Cauliflower Clouds (with chickpeas, raisins, peanuts, fresh chili and green leaves on carrot cream) and the Eggplant Fanjabi (small and lentil pitas loaded with eggplant salad, pickled lemon and hot tomato coriander salad).

The Halva Ice Cream with espresso Meshek Barzilay was one of the best desserts that we had the whole trip! Photo by: Love Wild Live Free.

The food at Meshek Barzilay was good, however, the dessert was the best part - seriously, my boyfriend can't stop raving about it! We ordered the Halva Ice Cream with espresso, and this was one of the best desserts that we had the whole trip.

We had visited Anita the night before our dinner at Meshek Barzialy and had contemplated between going to Anita for ice cream or ordering off the dessert menu at the restaurant. We ended up staying at the restaurant and ordered the Halva Ice Cream with espresso which was incredible. When we asked asked the server at the end of the meal if the ice cream was made in house, it turned out to be from Anita!

All of the vegan flavours of ice cream that we tried at Anita were fantastic. We passed by the shop that was closest to our Airbnb many times and it was always busy. It is more of an upscale ice cream shop and we were very impressed. Anita's offerings include yogurt, sorbets, and organic sugar-free, fat-free, soy-based and real cream-based ice creams, as well as hand made waffles, and beverages. During one visit I had a coffee on ice with dairy-free milk and it was delicious.

All of the ice cream flavours pictured above are vegan at Anita Gelato, the selection was incredible! Photo by: Love Wild Live Free.

We visited Neroli to stock up on fresh organic produce and snacks when we first arrived in Tel Aviv. This beautiful health food grocery shop has an Organic Juice Bar and Raw Food Diner at the back of the store. In addition to daily fresh organic produce, the store also has natural cosmetics, supplements, as well as pantry staples. Neroli is good place to get a quick bite and organic groceries. We ordered the Mega Green Juice at the juice bar, which was made to order. We also admired all of the menu offerings including smoothies, raw desserts and sushi. This shop offers a huge selection of organic produce and grocery items, and the store itself is beautifully designed using recycled wood and only biodegradable, water based coating materials, as well as second-hand appliances.

I'd love to see if you visit any of the food spots that I've recommended, so be sure to tag @lovewildlivefree on social media!

Visit the main page of my Travel Guide for additional vegan food recommendations all around the world! I will be traveling a lot over the next few months and I will be adding more destinations soon including, Arizona, New Mexico, Florida, Thailand and Vietnam. The next edition to my Travel Guide will feature Jerusalem, so be sure to check back shortly!

Much Love,

#LoveWildLiveFree

]]>The Best Vegan Food in Tel Aviv, Israel - What we ate!Oatmeal Raisin + Hemp Breakfast Cookies (oil-free, sugar-free & gluten-free option)BreakfastLoveWildLiveFreeSat, 02 Dec 2017 21:18:03 +0000http://www.lovewildlivefree.com/blog/2017/12/2/oatmeal-raisin-hemp-breakfast-cookies54a6d2a3e4b04f1bf4c62bac:54a6d2fae4b04f5956f486e3:5a23088d24a694ef802c1f63These healthy and delicious cookies are oil-free, sugar-free and and the
recipe has a gluten-free option too. They are made with nutty hemp hearts,
oats, cinnamon and vanilla, and they are naturally sweetened with dates. I
have teamed up with Manitoba Harvest Hemp Foods to bring you this
easy-to-make recipe, as well as some meal-time inspiration on how to enjoy
hemp hearts in a variety of ways throughout the day!These breakfast cookies are great for a busy morning on the go, or any time of the day!

These healthy and delicious cookies are oil-free, sugar-free and the recipe has a gluten-free option too. They are made with nutty hemp hearts, oats, cinnamon and vanilla, and they are naturally sweetened with dates. The addition of hemp provides a wonderful source of plant-based protein and the perfect balance of omega fats. I have teamed up with Manitoba Harvest Hemp Foods to bring you this easy-to-make recipe, as well as some meal-time inspiration on how to enjoy hemp hearts in a variety of ways throughout the day!

Make my Oatmeal Raisin + Hemp Breakfast Cookies for an easy grab and go breakfast, or enjoy them any time of the day!

So were do you get your protein?

One of the most popular concerns surrounding veganism seems to be the question of protein. I have noticed that people are genuinely concerned with getting enough protein. This question stems in part from clever marketing campaigns by the meat, egg and dairy industries, that have drilled the notion into the public consciousness that animal products are the only sources of protein.

The truth is that plant foods contain protein and that every nutrient that our bodies need can be found in the plant world - the animals are just the "middle-men/women"! With the abundance of whole foods available on the market we simply do not need animals to act as the "middle-man" in order to get our protein, or any other nutrient for that matter. Whenever I’m asked about protein as a vegan, I always use the example of hemp hearts as an excellent source of protein because they contain 24g of protein in every 1/2 cup!

Not only do hemp hearts taste delicious (they have a mild nutty flavour), but they are also easy to use and incredibly versatile. I always add hemp hearts to my daily smoothies and I love using it as a topping on avocado toast, salads, soups and pasta. In addition to being an excellent plant-based source of protein, hemp is full of healthful essential fatty acids, with the ideal balance between omegas 3 & 6.

Hemp Hearts All Day!

What I love about Manitoba Harvest hemp foods is that they pack a nutritional punch! Their hemp products, made from the hemp seed, are high in protein and healthy fats. In fact, compared to chia and flax seeds, hemp seeds contain twice the amount of protein. Hemp Hearts are also super delicious and versatile and are the next superfood to watch! There are so many reasons to embrace hemp foods, everything from the fact that they offer a sustainable farming solution, to health benefits, to great taste and versatility.

Here are some of the ways that I add Hemp Hearts into my meals throughout the day:

Smoothie bowls are an easy to make meal that you can enjoy any time of the day! I made this green beauty with spirulina powder, Manitoba Harvest Hemp Foods hemp heats, chia seeds, fresh baby spinach and spring water, then topped it with Koukla Delights Mini Cacao + Matcha Tea Macaroons, fruit and more hemp hearts.

Topping soups with hemp is always a good idea! I sprinkled a couple of tablespoons of Manitoba Harvest Hemp Foods Organic Hemp on my Sweet Kabocha Squash Soup.

Make sure to visit Manitoba Harvest's website to get even more recipe ideas for using hemp hearts! Also, I'd love to see if you make and share any of my recipe ideas above - tag @lovewildlivefree on social media, so that I can see your creations!

Why I love Manitoba Harvest!

Over the years the Manitoba Harvest founders’ vision has remained unchanged - to foster positive change for community and the environment. The Manitoba Harvest team takes a hands-on approach and is in the fields educating farmers and encouraging more hemp acres. They also work to proactively spread the word about hemp foods to all those that will listen, sharing over 2 million sample packages per year to hemp fans young and old all across North America.

Manitoba Harvest

Manitoba Harvest is the world's largest manufacturer to grow, make and sell their own line of hemp food. They make virtually everything on-site at their manufacturing facility which has achieved the highest level of global certification in food safety and quality (BRC Grade A+). Manitoba Harvest products are 100% vegan-friendly and non-GMO Project verified. Manitoba Harvest also takes social responsibility seriously and is certified as a B Corporation which means that they adhere to rigorous standards of social and environmental performance, accountability, and transparency.*

To learn more about Manitoba Harvest Hemp Foods check out their website!

4. In a small mixing bowl mash the dates into a paste. Note: if your dates are not soft, soak them in warm water for 15 minutes, or until they are softened. Add in the remaining wet ingredients and stir to combine. Alternatively, if you have a mini food processor process all of the wet ingredients in there.

5. Add the wet ingredients to your dry ingredients and combine. Fold in the raisins.

I have tested out a number of gluten-free flours over the years and I’ve found the best results with Bob’s Red Mill Gluten Free 1-to-1 Baking Flour (GMO-free). I like to avoid gluten-free flour mixes that contain conventional potato and corn starch. Be wary of non-organic potato and corn as these are are grown with pesticides and are commonly genetically modified.

GIVEAWAY (CLOSED)

I have partnered with Manitoba Harvest to give away an awesome prize pack to one lucky winner including:

This post was in collaboration with Manitoba Harvest and the product used were kindly gifted for review. I only share products that I personally use and that are made with the highest integrity. Compensation was provided by Manitoba Harvest. The opinions expressed herein are those of the author and are not indicative of the opinions of Manitoba Harvest. The Amazon links provided are affiliate links, which means that if you visit Amazon through these links and purchase product, I’ll get a commission. Don’t worry – the price doesn't increase if you use my link - you'll receive a discount, while helping to support the free content that I share.

To work with Avra and Love Wild Live Free on collaborations, reviews and sponsored posts please get in touch on the Contact page!

Sources:

* "B Corporation." What Are B Corps? N.p., n.d. Web. 19 Nov. 2015.

]]>Oatmeal Raisin + Hemp Breakfast Cookies (oil-free, sugar-free & gluten-free option)All Things Shroomy with Four Sigmatic [Promo Code]Health + BeautyLoveWildLiveFreeThu, 23 Nov 2017 20:45:02 +0000http://www.lovewildlivefree.com/blog/2017/11/23/four-sigmatic-black-friday54a6d2a3e4b04f1bf4c62bac:54a6d2fae4b04f5956f486e3:5a15ef3a71c10b644b195449Warm up this holiday season with mushrooms, the original superfood! Have
you heard all of the hype about mushrooms and been itching to try drinking
them? Or maybe you're already a fan and want to learn more? If you answered
yes to either question then keep reading to learn more about drinking
mushrooms.Warm up this holiday season with mushrooms, the original superfood!

I am always on the lookout for whole foods with the greatest health benefits, and mushrooms totally fit the bill! When I first met the Finnish #FunGuys from Four Sigmatic a couple of years ago and tasted their mushroom drinks, I immediately recognized that this brand is the real deal. Four Sigmatic is on a mission to popularize drinking mushrooms. Using mushrooms in the whole food form is not new, ingenious cultures have used them for thousands of years. What is unique about Four Sigmatic's medicinal mushroom products is that not only have they have been crafted to maximize the superfood benefits, but they are also easy and convenient to use.

Upgrade your favourite drink or smoothie with a Superfoods Mushroom Blend from Four Sigmatic!

What I love most about Four Sigmatic products is that not only are they bursting with health benefits and taste great, but they are also simple and convenient to use. You can add them into a cup of hot water for a warm, cozy drink, or mix them in with your smoothies for added nutrition. You can also add them in to your favourite recipes like oatmeal, protein bars, energy balls and chia pudding - the options are virtually endless!

So what's the deal with mushrooms?

The ancient Romans declared mushrooms “food for the gods” and believed mushrooms imbued warriors with incredible strength. Mushrooms have been used medicinally in Japan and China for Millenia, and for good reason, as certain mushrooms are strongly antibacterial and antiviral, and contain powerful immune boosting compounds.*

Medicinal mushrooms are a specific species of mushrooms that are wild, non-toxic and non-hallucinogenic. They are the world’s most scientifically studied superfoods and many drugs are derived from fungi - penicillin is one example. Mushrooms are used either directly or indirectly in more than 40 percent of the pharmaceuticals currently on the market. They are known to help support immune function, lower inflammation, balance blood sugar and alter gut bacteria for the better too.

The team at Four Sigmatic believes in the real magic of functional mushrooms like Reishi, Chaga, Cordyceps, and Lion's Mane, as well as other superfoods and adaptogens like rhodiola, eleuthero, and schisandra to help us live healthier, more enhanced lives. Four Sigmatic sources their mushrooms from wild forests or from their mushroom farms, where the growing conditions are as close to their natural habitat as possible. They use a dual-extraction technique in processing to guarantee the best bioavailability of all of the most important properties that mushrooms have to offer.

Use my code "LOVE" for an additional 10% off your next purchase at foursigmatic.com - my code never expires! This is the perfect opportunity to treat yourself and stock up on all of your shroomy favourites or try something new, and also grab stocking stuffers and gifts for friends and family for the upcoming holiday season. We're talking Mushroom Coffees, Mushroom Superfood Blends and Mushroom Elixirs too!

The term ‘superfood’ may be prone to exaggeration, but I can honestly say that Four Sigmatic adaptogens and mushroom blends have been an integral and instrumental component of my success equation. Also a crucial and easy way to stay on top of my performance nutrition when traveling!

— Rich Roll - Ultra-Endurance Triathlete & Bestselling Author

Here are some ways in which mushrooms can promote greater physical and mental wellbeing...

Mushrooms for Sleep & Sress

If you have occasional stress and difficulty sleeping, the Reishi Mushroom Elixir can help you relax and get a good night sleep. Reishi mushrooms enhance the quality of deep, slow-wave sleep. I always love unwinding with a hot cup of Four Sigmatic's Mushroom Hot Cacao with Reishi about two hours before bed or anytime throughout a busy and/or stressful day. The reishi mushroom extracts taste incredibly smooth, almost like a light version of coffee (sans caffeine), mixed with herbs like peppermint and licorice to give it a fresh flavour. Best of all, they help you calm down and enjoy a better sleep by naturally regulating the hormonal system and lowering your cortisol levels.

Four Sigmatic's Mushroom Hot Cacao with Reishi can be served hot or cold!

The convenient packets of Reishi Elixirs, from Four Sigmatic, are perfect for grab and go any time of the day.

Mushrooms for Energy & Performance

Cordyceps are an adaptogen, not a stimulant, so they can help you produce and maintain steady energy levels. Add the Cordyceps Elixir to your pre-workout smoothie, or make a cup of Mushroom Hot Cacao with Cordyceps on a day where you need a little energy boost! Love coffee, but want to avoid jitters? Four Sigmatic has you covered with their Mushroom Coffee with Cordyceps. Traditional coffee can give you an energy spike, but that's usually followed by a crash. The addition of cordyceps, can help your body produce its own energy and in turn, avoid a crash.

Try Four Sigmatic's Mushroom Coffee with Cordyceps for coffee without the jitters!

Go the extra mile … with cordyceps!

Mushrooms for Immunity

Chaga mushrooms AKA the "King of Mushrooms," can help support immune functions. Grab a cup of Chaga Elixr from Four Sigmatic in the morning to start you day off right! One of my favourite ways to add Chaga into my daily routine is to blend it into my green smoothie.

I shared Four Sigmatic's easy-to-make recipe for a refreshing Chaga Ice Tea on my blog - check it out here !

Four Sigmatic's Chaga Elixir is the perfect travel companion - bring it with you on your next hike in their convenient single serving pack!

Brain & Nervous System Support

Lion's Mane is an all-natural cognitive enhancer that has been shown to support memory and concentration. This mushroom has long been used by Buddhist monks for better focus during meditation. Grab a cup of Lion's Mane Elixir for enhanced concentration when you're studying, reading or writing. Or if you're in the mood for coffee, Four Sigmatic has taken your typical cup of joe to a whole new level in their Mushroom Coffee Mix with Lion's Mane, with the addition of organic lion’s mane mushroom and rhodiola root.

Four Sigmatic's Mushroom Coffee with Lion's Mane is designed to support focus and creativity. Drink at work, to study, or whenever your brain needs an energizing hug!

Try biohacking the brain … with Lion’s Mane.

To learn more about Four Sigmatic check out my Interview with Tero Isokauppila, President of Four Sigmatic here.

Don't forget to use my code "LOVE" for an additional 10% off your next purchase at foursigmatic.com - my code never expires!

Warm up this holiday season with Four Sigmatic drinkable mushrooms!

PS - How cool is this mushroom fact: humans share approximately 85 percent of our ribosomal RNA and 50 percent of our DNA with fungi! This is another way of saying that mushrooms are extremely bioavailable to human bodies. This means mushrooms have a higher chance of providing functional benefits to humans than many other products, probably because the same defence mechanisms fungi use can help our bodies when we consume mushrooms.

This post was in collaboration with Four Sigmatic and the product used were kindly gifted for review. I only share products that I personally use and that are made with the highest integrity. The links and coupon code provided are affiliate links, which means that if you visit Four Sigmatic's website through one of these links and purchase product, I’ll get a commission. Don’t worry – the price is still the same for you, plus you'll get a 10% discount with my promo code "LOVE" (which does not expire)! Please note that the information in this article is not meant to constitute medical advice.

To work with Avra and Love Wild Live Free on collaborations, sponsored posts and reviews please get in touch on the Contact page!

]]>All Things Shroomy with Four Sigmatic [Promo Code]Event Recap: 'WIZARD OF ODDZ' Halloween Charity EventVegan SocialLoveWildLiveFreeWed, 08 Nov 2017 21:41:15 +0000http://www.lovewildlivefree.com/blog/2017/11/3/wizard-of-oddz-recap54a6d2a3e4b04f1bf4c62bac:54a6d2fae4b04f5956f486e3:59fccec60d929786c195bf07The 'WIZARD OF ODDZ' Halloween Charity Event, on October 21, 2017, was
presented in partnership by UNIVERSEOFÁLI and Vegan Social Events, created
by Love Wild Live Free. This gala-style, costumed event is Toronto's
premier vegan-friendly Halloween party and was the third annual Halloween
Event hosted by UNIVERSEOFÁLI. Keep reading for the full event recap...Guests at the the 'WIZARD OF ODDZ' Halloween Charity Event enjoyed live performances, delicious vegan food tastings, specialty drinks and went home with fabulous silent auction prizes!

The 'WIZARD OF ODDZ' Halloween Charity Event, on October 21, 2017, was presented in partnership by UNIVERSEOFÁLIand Vegan Social Events, created by Love Wild Live Free. This gala-style, costumed event is Toronto's premier vegan-friendly Halloween party and was the third annual Halloween Event hosted by UNIVERSEOFÁLI.

This year the event benefitedStory Book Farm Primate Sanctuary, Canada's only Monkey Sanctuary, located in Sunderland, Ontario. The event brought together party-goers from Toronto’s professional and corporate communities, the vegan community, the International and Canadian Military communities and the general public, in a non-judgmental and inclusive space.

The evening included a variety of amazing live performers, Wizard of OZ-themed decor with a 'Flying Monkeys' Balloon Raffle with prizes, a 'Yellow Brick Silent Auction', as well as fabulous complimentary vegan food, swag bags, and a 'Poppy Bar' with specialty drinks.

It would not have been possible without the support of our wonderful title sponsor Plant Trainers and the generosity of our Food, Swag Bag, Silent Auction and Raffle Sponsors, as well as the outstanding AHOM Food and Bar Staff, the Commissionaires and the photographers and videographers. Special thanks to our amazing volunteers and all of our guests who generously supported the event. We are so appreciative of everyone who was involved including our amazing DJ Candy Warhol from Bangs and Blush who volunteered her time, and our talented performers Sofonda Cox, Coco Framboise andUNIVERSEOFÁLI.

The Two Market Girls shared this amazing video recap of the "WIZARD OF ODDZ' Halloween Charity Event! Make sure to subscribe to their YouTube channel for quick and delicious vegan recipes that anyone can make and anyone will love!

Photo highlights have been included in this article! You can view the full album on Facebook. Please credit the individual photographers (noted in the description of each photo) when sharing and/or using these photos.

Coco Framboise created a fantastic and salacious act just for this 'WIZARD OF ODDZ' event! Photo by: Two Market Girls.

THE CHARITY

Story Book Farm Primate Sanctuary is a Canadian registered charitable organization (#84081 7910 RR0001) and is the only Monkey Sanctuary in Canada. Offering 'freedom from fear', it is a place of healing and recovery from trauma. Currently home to 19 Primates, they provide a permanent resident for primates retiring from biomedical research, zoos, universities, and private residences. The sanctuary also advocates for the well-being of exotic animals through education. In sanctuary care, they encourage friendships between residents, exploration and freedom of choice, giving back the ability to make decisions and control events that affect residents' lives. As a 100% volunteer run sanctuary, Story Book Farm does not receive any government funding and relies completely on donations.

Rhesus Macaques, Boo & Gerdie, came from a laboratory in Ontario where they were used as test subjects in neurological research. Photo by:Story Book Farm Primate Sanctuary.

Japanese Macaque, Darwin AKA the "IKEA Monkey", was born in Canada as part of the exotic pet trade in 2012, and had lived in a family home in Toronto. He was found in an IKEA parking lot in December 2012 after escaping from his owner's car and was seized by local authorities. A social media and worldwide news sensation, Darwin has resided at SBFPS ever since. Photo by:Story Book Farm Primate Sanctuary.

When Rudy arrived at Story Book Farm, he was emaciated, and his liver was in first stages of shut down. Because he was in poor health, he had lost much of his hair, so he was bald in several areas on his body, and his tail was completely bald except for the very tip. Photo by:Story Book Farm Primate Sanctuary.

Cheeko, a Black-tufted Capuchin, lived in a greenhouse in a garden centre in Ontario. He had no outdoor space and little in the way of comforts. Photo by:Story Book Farm Primate Sanctuary.

BEST COSTUME AWARDS

BEST IN COSTUME

SCARIEST COSTUME

Ian MacNeily did a fantastic job as the Courageous Lion! Thank you to Plant Trainers for donating their Propelled by Plants t-shirt! Photo by: @PlantTrainers.

FUNNIEST COSTUME

Look how cute the Two Market Girlsare! We're especially loving their use of recycled items! Thank you to Mindful Macarons for donating an amazing prize of yummy Pumpkin Spice macaroons - Vegan of course!Photo by: Aaron Fisher.

FOOD + SWAG BAG SPONSORS

Thank you to all the wonderful individuals and companies that donated Complimentary Food and Swag Bags Items:

Kaivegan TV joined the wonderful Wizard of Oddz Halloween event presented by Universe of Ali and Vegan Social Events by Love Wild Live Free, benefitting Story Book Farm Primate Sanctuary. Story Book Farm Primate Sanctuary is a volunteer-based and donation driven facility. Please visit their website to find out how you can support our primate friends.

Photo highlights have been included in this article! You can view the full album on Facebook. Please credit the individual photographers (noted in the description of each photo) when sharing and/or using these photos.

Don't forget to check out the full photo album from this event on Facebook! Please credit the individual photographers (noted in the description of each photo) when sharing and/or using these photos.

Much Love,

#LoveWildLiveFree

This Toronto Vegan Social Event and this post was in collaboration with all of the companies and individuals listed above. All of the products were kindly gifted for the event. I only share products that I personally use and that are made with the highest integrity.

To work with Avra and Love Wild Live Free on collaborations, reviews and sponsored posts please get in touch on the Contact page!

]]>Event Recap: 'WIZARD OF ODDZ' Halloween Charity EventEvent Recap: Toronto Vegan Social Pop-Up - September 2017Vegan SocialLoveWildLiveFreeSun, 05 Nov 2017 23:31:10 +0000http://www.lovewildlivefree.com/blog/2017/11/3/pop-up-2017-recap54a6d2a3e4b04f1bf4c62bac:54a6d2fae4b04f5956f486e3:59fcb274e31d19ddc9428228On September 7, 2017, Vegan Social Events, created by Love Wild Live Free,
hosted an exclusive vegan pop-up event that brought together
influencers, media makers and the local vegan community. Guests enjoyed
complimentary food + drink tasting items and went home with swag bags
jammed-packed with amazing vegan goodies! The added element of a pop-up
private shopping event was well received by guests who browsed ethical and
sustainable clothing, accessories and vegan fair trade cosmetics.Guests at the sold out September 2017 Vegan Social Pop-Up Event enjoyed delicious food + beverages and private shopping at OFFSITE's curated concept store.

On September 7, 2017, Vegan Social Events, created by Love Wild Live Free, hosted an exclusive vegan pop-up event that brought together influencers, media makers and the local vegan community. Guests enjoyed complimentary food + drink tasting items and went home with swag bags jammed-packed with amazing vegan goodies! The added element of a pop-up private shopping event was well received by guests who browsed ethical and sustainable clothing, accessories and vegan fair trade cosmetics. Our food and drink vendors also had take-home items available for sale.

The Two Market Girls shared this awesome video recap of the Toronto Vegan Social Pop-Up Event! Make sure to subscribe to their YouTube channel for quick and delicious vegan recipes that anyone can make and anyone will love!

Photo highlights from the event have been included in this album. You can view the full photo album from this event on Facebook! Please credit the individual photographers (noted in the description of each photo) when sharing and/or using these photos.

The food was beyond amazing everywhere I turned from Vegan Stokes Cheese the most amazing cheese’s and cream cheese spreads (they taste better than the real thing and they are vegan and gluten free!) to Nona’s Vegan and gluten free Sauces making the perfect nachos for Vegan’s and anyone who loves good food (not kidding they were FAB!).

— Mandi from The Beauty Edition

Vegan + Ethical + Sustainable Goods

A selection of sustainable, eco-friendly and cruelty-free products that are all of the highest quality were showcased at the Pop-Up as part of this private shopping event.

Some of the amazing vegan goodies that were included in our fabulous swag bags! Photo by Love Wild Live Free.

LWLF x SHIRT ACTIVISM COLLAB

Guests at the Vegan Social Pop-Up Event had the opportunity preview the Love Wild Live Free Apparel Collection, a partnership with Shirt Activism, an awareness clothing company and everyday activism that's incredibly effective at starting great conversations and planting seeds. All of the pieces feature sustainable material (including organic options), made with100% no-sweatshop manufacturing in the USA and printed using water-based, eco-friendly ink.

Most importantly, $1 from every sale of the collection this upcoming season will be donated to Animal Justice, Canada's only animal law advocacy organization that works to pass animal protection legislation, push for the prosecution of animal abusers, and fight for animals in court. The work that Animal Justice does speaks to me on both a personal and professional level, as a lawyer and passionate animal rights activist. I could not be more thrilled to be supporting the fight for animal protection!

I am so excited to announce that the winner of the The Crop Top - a super cute crop T from the Love Wild Live Free Apparel Collection is Charny B.! Thanks to everyone who entered the giveaway.

Photo highlights have been included in this article! You can view the full album on Facebook. Please credit the individual photographers (noted in the description of each photo) when sharing and/or using these photos.

As Seen On

THANK YOU!

Thank you to everyone who helped make this event a success! I love and appreciate all who were involved. It was so inspiring to see so many great people from our vegan community come together for the evening.

Don't forget to check out the full photo album from this event on Facebook! Please credit the individual photographers (noted in the description of each photo) when sharing and/or using these photos.

Much Love,

#LoveWildLiveFree

This Toronto Vegan Social Event and this post was in collaboration with all of the companies and individuals listed above. All of the products were kindly gifted for the event. I only share products that I personally use and that are made with the highest integrity.

To work with Avra and Love Wild Live Free on collaborations, reviews and sponsored posts please get in touch on the Contact page!

]]>Event Recap: Toronto Vegan Social Pop-Up - September 2017Plant-Protein Burgers from Cook Lively! (oil-free + gluten-free + raw dehydrator option)Lunch & DinnerLoveWildLiveFreeSun, 01 Oct 2017 22:33:35 +0000http://www.lovewildlivefree.com/blog/2017/9/28/plant-protein-burgers54a6d2a3e4b04f1bf4c62bac:54a6d2fae4b04f5956f486e3:59ccf8001f318de7afe4dac4This easy-to-make, satisfying, nutrient-packed veggie burger recipe, from
Laura-Jane Koers' debut cookbook Cook Lively!, has quickly become a staple
in my kitchen! These burgers are quick and simple to make, and turned out
great for me when I made them in both the oven and dehydrator! Keep reading
to learn more about Lara-Jane's beautiful new cookbook and to learn how you
can enter to win a copy for yourself! This easy-to-make, satisfying, nutrient-packed veggie burger recipe has quickly become a staple in my kitchen!

I had the pleasure of reviewing Laura-Jane Koers' (AKA the TheRawtarian) debut cookbook which features 100 quick and easy plant-based recipes using 10 ingredients or less! With a personal collection of over 30 vegan cookbooks, I love supporting the vegan community and sharing new cookbooks from authors that I respect and admire. I was very excited to learn that Laura-Jane, who is a fellow Canadian, hailing from Halifax, Nova Scotia, was releasing her first cookbook this year! Her cookbook, filled with gorgeous food photographs, is an amazing resource for anyone looking for incredibly healthy recipes made with everyday ingredients.

Laura-Jane has included both raw and cooked recipes for everything from breakfast, to main dishes, snacks, desserts, as well as kitchen staples too. What I love about this cookbook is that many of the recipes include the option to use an oven or dehydrator. I also really appreciate the fact that the ingredients she uses are all easy to find, and many of which were items that I usually have on hand.

Lately, I've been loving Laura-Jane's delicious Plant-Protein Burgers with Hemp Seeds and Vegetables. These burgers are quick and simple to make, and turned out great for me when I made them in both the oven and dehydrator! These burgers keep really nicely and are very satisfying. They are super tasty served at room temperature, so they work well for a packed lunch on the go. You can totally serve these on a bun with all the burger toppings, and they are equally as tasty as a protein-rich salad topper. They're so good, I've even eaten them without any toppings at all. Basically, I love these burgers and I hope that you do too!

Laura-Jane has generously shared her recipe for her delicious burgers. Keep reading for the recipe and learn how you can win a copy of her beautiful new cookbook!

Plant-Protein Burgers with Hemp Seed and Vegetables

Having an easy-to-make, satisfying veggie burger recipe in your arsenal is key, and this Plant-Protein Burger recipe does the trick. These flavorful burgers get their moist texture from hemp seeds, which also give them a protein boost. This recipe can be made in the oven or in the dehydrator. (If dehydrating, bear in mind that the patties will shrink significantly in size once the moisture is removed.) These plant-filled burgers are perfect sliced on top of salads or in wraps, but, for the ultimate burger extravaganza, serve them in a lettuce bun with Maca Mayonnaise (page 230) and Catch-Me Ketchup (page 229) and a side of Spiced-Right Yam Wedges (page 121)! If you'd like a more traditional bun, make a batch of Cauliflower Toast (page 56) and form the dough into small rounds before baking or dehydrating, as shown here.

7. Enjoy immediately. Store leftovers in the fridge in a semi-tight container for up to 3 days.

IF MAKING IN A DEHYDRATOR

1. Line a dehydrator tray with parchment paper. Set aside.

2. Add the sunflower seeds, flax meal, salt, and nutritional yeast and dill, if using, to your food processor. Process into a flour-like powder (30 seconds). Transfer the mixture to a large bowl.

3. Add the veggies, hemp seeds, and garlic to the large bowl. Stir.

4. Add the lemon juice and 1 tablespoon water. Stir again until well combined.

5. Using your hands, form the mixture into 4 patties, about ½ to ¾ inch thick. Place them on the parchment-lined tray.

6. Dehydrate at 145°F for 1. hours. Reduce the temperature to 104°F and dehydrate for another 6 hours. About halfway through the 6 hours, once they are holding together, flip them over and continue dehydrating until they reach the desired consistency—somewhat moist in the middle but hard on the outside.

7. Enjoy immediately. Store leftovers in the fridge in a semi-tight container for up to 3 days.

INSTAGRAM GIVEAWAY (CLOSED)

One lucky winner will receive a copy of Laura-Jane's beautiful cookbook Cook Lively! This giveaway is open to residents of Canada and the United States. For giveaway details and to enter to win please click here.

Click here to see a full listing of Books and Cookbooks that I reccomend, including Cook Lively! that have helped to inform me on my vegan journey and have really inspired me along the way.

Much Love,

#LoveWildLiveFree

This is not a sponsored post. I only share products that I personally use and that are made with the highest integrity. The cookbook featured in this post was kindly gifted to me for review. The Amazon links provided are affiliate links, which means that if you visit Amazon through these links and purchase product, I’ll get a commission. Don’t worry – the price doesn't change if you use my link, it's just a great way to help support the free content that I share!

To work with Avra and Love Wild Live Free on collaborations, sponsored posts and reviews please get in touch on the Contact page!

]]>Plant-Protein Burgers from Cook Lively! (oil-free + gluten-free + raw dehydrator option)Event Announcement: 'WIZARD OF ODDZ' Halloween Charity Event 2017Vegan SocialLoveWildLiveFreeMon, 25 Sep 2017 16:49:48 +0000http://www.lovewildlivefree.com/blog/halloween-201754a6d2a3e4b04f1bf4c62bac:54a6d2fae4b04f5956f486e3:59c85bb52aeba5f5e8f0b737This year's 3rd Annual Halloween Charity Event, benefiting Story Book Farm
Primate Sanctuary, sees Vegan Social Events, created by Love Wild Live
Free, partnering with UNIVERSEOFÁLI, to bring the wonderful world of the
Wizard of Oz to life. Guests will begin their journey down the yellow brick
road to find themselves at the transformed historic and exclusive Armour
Heights Officers Mess. Welcomed with thematic complimentary vegan
appetizers created by Chef James Snow, you will enter the 'Emerald City'.
Keep reading to learn more about this exciting event, you do not want to
miss it!U N I V E R S E O F Á L Ix VEGAN SOCIAL EVENTS created by LOVE WILD LIVE FREEPresents the 3rd Annual Halloween Charity Event

'WIZARD OF ODDZ'

Saturday, October 21st, 2017

I am so excited to share that Vegan Social Events, created by Love Wild Live Free, will be partnering with UNIVERSEOFÁLI to bring the wonderful world of OZ to life,for their 3rd Annual Halloween Charity Event, benefiting Story Book Farm Primate Sanctuary! Guests will journey down the yellow brick road to find themselves at the historic and exclusive Armour Heights Officers Mess, Toronto's most secretive estate.

This gala-style, costumed event is Toronto's premier vegan-friendly Halloween party. It will bring together party-goers from Toronto’s professional and corporate communities, the vegan community, the International and Canadian Military communities and the general public, in a non-judgmental and inclusive space.

The ‘Flying Monkeys’ Balloon Raffle will rule the sky as guests explore the various themed rooms around the mansion. Guests will be welcomed with appetizers by Chef James Snow of Canada Catering and complimentary tasting items curated by Kupfert & Kim, Panago Pizza, Culcherd, and more. The 'Poppy Bar' will feature specialty, affordable drinks. The event will include The'Yellow Brick Silent Auction', with paintings by Pockets Warhol, a Capuchin Monkey from Story Book Farm Primate Sanctuary, whose artwork has garnered attention from worldwide news outlets and celebrities including Ricky Gervais and Dr. Jane Goodall.

Entertainment will include Candy Warhol of Bangs & Blush with Halloween inspired music mixed with golden 50's and 60's. There will also be live performances with a musical number by event co-organizer, Alexandria Beck of UNIVERSEOFÁLI. Beck is an international recording and performing artist and has performed for audiences of up to 60,000 people, including royalty and Heads of State, and opened the first Vancouver Olympic venue. She has been featured on TMZ, CBC, and was the in-house opera singer for the world’s foremost luxury department store, Harrods.

EVENT DETAILS

Directions: Please click here. **Free Parking available on site off of Sandringham Drive.TTC: 10 minute walk or a quick bus ride from York Mills Subway Station.

Tickets: $60* - Tickets include admission, live performances and entertainment, complimentary vegan food and non-alcoholic drink tastings, dancing, swag bags for the first 100 guests who purchase their tickets, and more...

Students: Due to popular demand a *Special $30 Discounted Ticket* for students has been added for this event! Must show valid Student ID at the door.

*We are offering $40 tickets for members of the Armour Heights Officers Mess (AHOM).

Entertainment: Live Performers, and music by Candy Warhol of Bangs & Blush.

Costumes: Wear your best Wizard of OZ inspired costumes for a chance to WIN PRIZES!

STORY BOOK FARM PRIMATE SANCTUARY

This event proudly supports Story Book Farm Primate Sanctuary, home to Darwin the ‘IKEA Monkey’, a Japanese Macaque whose photo went viral in December 2012, after he was found wandering an Ikea parking lot in North York, Ontario. This sanctuary does important and necessary work, by currently providing a permanent home for 19 primates retiring from biomedical research, zoos, universities, and private residences. The exotic pet trade is a growing trend in Canada; according to CTV News, Canada has the worst record in the Western world when it comes to protecting animals. Unfortunately, animal testing for medical and cosmetic purposes still takes place in Canada. As one of two primate sanctuaries in Canada, Story Book Farm Primate Sanctuary offers 'freedom from fear', and a place of healing and recovery for primates in need.

This is a very special charity, not only for the home they provide but because each and every person involved loves these Primates. This 100% volunteer run Sanctuary does not receive any government funding and relies completely on donations.

Pockets Warhol shows off his 'conceptual' artwork, raising money for his home. He chooses his paint and of his own free will can be seen eating nuts from one hand and finger painting with the other!

'FLYING MONKEYS' BALLOON RAFFLE

Last year's 'FOR THE BIRDS' Balloon Raffle was such a success that we're bringing it back, bigger and better than before! All of the proceeds raised will be donated to Story Book Farm Primate Sanctuary.

How you play:

Donate a couple of bucks

Choose your favourite Monkey

Pull the Monkey down

Pop the balloon

See if you've won a prize!

Design by Antonia Weri

**Please note that all of the balloons will be biodegradable.

ARMOUR HEIGHTS OFFICERS MESS

This Halloween event will be held at the Armour Heights Officers Mess, Toronto's most secretive estate. The historic building on the property was built in 1914 as the home of Colonel F.B. Robins. It was designed by the architectural firm of George and Moorhouse. It is noteworthy as an outstanding example of residential architecture in a Tudor Revival manner.

These vintage photos of the estate are from the Armour Heights Officers Mess archives:

Food + Drinks

Guests will be welcomed at the start of the evening with complimentary vegan appetizers created by Chef James Snow. Complimentary food + non-alcoholic drink tasting items will be served by our wonderful Food + Drink sponsors. Please note that a variety of beverages, including alcoholic beverages, will be available for purchase at The Poppy Bar throughout the evening.

For a full recap of the July 2017 Toronto Vegan Social Event please click here.

Don't forget to use the event hashtag #WizardOfOddz2017!

Much Love,

#LoveWildLiveFree

This Toronto Vegan Social Event and this post was in collaboration with UNIVERSEOFÁLI, Story Book Farm Primate Sanctuaryand all of the companies and individuals listed above. All products and promotional items will be kindly gifted for the event. I only share products that I personally use and that are made with the highest integrity.

To work with Avra and Love Wild Live Free on collaborations, reviews and sponsored posts please get in touch on the Contact page!

]]>Event Announcement: 'WIZARD OF ODDZ' Halloween Charity Event 2017Event Announcement: Toronto Vegan Social POP-UP - Thursday, September 7/17Vegan SocialLoveWildLiveFreeTue, 22 Aug 2017 01:42:20 +0000http://www.lovewildlivefree.com/blog/vegan-social-popup-201754a6d2a3e4b04f1bf4c62bac:54a6d2fae4b04f5956f486e3:599a23d07131a51239bac65fVegan Social Events, created by Love Wild Live Free, is back with another
exclusive vegan food + drink tasting event, Thursday, September
7, 2017. This social event will bring together influencers, media makers
and the local vegan community for a celebration of Toronto’s thriving vegan
scene! Love Wild Live Free will be previewing a brand new collection of
ethical and sustainable clothing, made in collaboration with Shirt Activism
Apparel at the event - keep reading to learn more!You're invited to the Vegan Social Event Pop-Up, an exclusive Food + Drink Tasting and Private Shopping Event!

Vegan Social Events, created by Love Wild Live Free, is back with another exclusive vegan food + drink tasting event, Thursday, September 7, 2017. This social event will bring together influencers, media makers and the local vegan community for a celebration of Toronto’s thriving vegan scene!

We are very excited to be changing up the style of this event. As always, your ticket gets you complimentary food + drink tasting items and swag bags jammed-packed with amazing vegan goodies for the first 50 people who grab their tickets! This time we added the element of a pop-up private shopping event. We will have companies joining us with an incredible selection of ethical and sustainable clothing, accessories and vegan fair trade cosmetics. Our food and drink vendors will have take-home items available for sale too.

Update: Due to an overwhelming demand a NEW set of TICKETS have been released for this event. The new tickets are $10 and get you admission from 8pm - 9:30pm!! (Please note that these tickets do not include the swag bag).

I am thrilled to announce that Love Wild Live Free will be previewing a brand new collection of ethical and sustainable clothing, made in collaboration with Shirt Activism Apparel at the event - keep reading to learn more!

All about Vegan Social Events

In September 2016, Love Wild Live Free hosted the first ever Toronto Vegan Social event, bringing together influencers and media makers for an evening of delicious vegan food and drinks. This event was unique to the vegan community and well received by all who were involved. The second event on July 2017, was open to the public and was a great success. The event sold out - with a line up out the door!

For previous event recaps click here. To watch the Two Market Girls video recap of the July 2017 event click here.

Special Guests

John Lewis AKABad Ass Veganwill be in attendance, all the way from Miami. As a well renowned fitness expert, John has spent over a decade in the health and fitness industry and played Division I College basketball. John is a VeganSmart partner, and we are so excited to have their Plant-Based Nutritional Shakes included in the swag bags! You can also find John at a speaking engagement at the Toronto Veg Food Fest on Saturday, September 9th, 2017.

Clothing designer, DJ, vegan and podcaster, Jacky Wasserman of BEETxBEET will be gracing us with her presence, all the way from Los Angeles. BEETxBEET stickers will be included in the swag bags! You can also find BEETxBEET at the Toronto Veg Food Fest.

Anne-MarieCampbell AKA MeatFreeAthlete and creator of ShirtActivismApparelwill also be joining the event as a special guest. Shirt Activism Apparel will be a vendor at the Pop-Up event too! Spread awareness just by being seen, with Shirt Activism's designs with powerful thought, provoking messages.

Lauren Toyota ofhot for foodhas been confirmed as a special guest. Candice and James of theEdgy Veg will also be joining the event as special guests. We are thrilled to have Lisa Le, the Viet Vegan joining the event too! Vegan influencer and activist Alex Ciccone will be in attendance.

Athlete, activist, and the founder of NYC-based start up Crazies and Weirdos, Dominick Thompson, will be at the social as a special guest. Crazies and Weirdoswill also be joining the event as vendor, with hip, sustainable and eco-friendly clothing made from recycled and organic materials.

We are very excited to have award winning director and proud Toronto vegan Aaron "Aaron A" Bertrand at the event fresh off his MTV Video Award for Alessia Cara's video Scars to Your Beautiful. Aaron has worked with many notable acts including Nelly Furtado, Majid Jordan and Andy Grammer.

Award winning music producer and vegan activist ZALE will be joining the event. He has worked with many notable artists including: Kendrick Lamar, Nicki Minaj, Kanye West, Eminem, Party Nextdoor and more.

More special guests to be confirmed...

The Venue

OFFSITE is a curated concept store, located in the trendy Trinity Bellwoods area. By day it is a coffee bar, fashion boutique and gallery, that specializes in promoting Canadian fashion designers and artists through retail, public presentations and events.

867 Dundas Street West

Parking available on Dundas Street and side streets.TTC: 5 minute walk from Bathurst Street and Dundas Street West.

LWLF x SHIRT ACTIVISM COLLAB

I am proud to be partnering with Shirt Activism for the Love Wild Live Free Apparel Collection. Shirt Activism is an awareness clothing company and everyday activism that's incredibly effective at starting great conversations and planting seeds. All of the pieces will feature sustainable material (including organic options), made with100% no-sweatshop manufacturing in the USA and printed using water-based, eco-friendly ink.

Guests at the Vegan Social Pop-Up Event will have an opportunity to enter to WIN The Crop Top - a super cute crop T from the Love Wild Live Free Apparel Collection, a partnership with Shirt Activism!

We will be previewing the Fall/Winter collection at the event and guests will have an opportunity to enter to WIN The Crop Top - a super cute crop T!

Most importantly, $1 from every sale of the collection this upcoming season will be donated to Animal Justice, Canada's only animal law advocacy organization that works to pass animal protection legislation, push for the prosecution of animal abusers, and fight for animals in court. The work that Animal Justice does speaks to me on both a personal and professional level, as a lawyer and passionate animal rights activist. I could not be more thrilled to be supporting the fight for animal protection!

Michelle's Sweet Table

As a special treat we've teamed up with Michelle's RawFoodz with a complimentary Sweet Table. Be one of the first to try Michelle's RawFoodz puddings. Guests can build their own desserts with her new puddings and a selection of delicious toppings!

Food + Drinks

Complimentary food + drink tasting items will be served throughout the evening. Our food and drink vendors will also have take-home items available for sale too!

Vegan + Ethical + Sustainable Goods

A selection of sustainable, eco-friendly and cruelty-free products that are all of the highest quality will be showcased at the Pop-Up as part of this private shopping event. Meet the creators behind the brands and learn all about products that you can feel good about supporting!

For a full recap of the July 2017 Toronto Vegan Social Event please click here.

Much Love,

#LoveWildLiveFree

This Toronto Vegan Social and this post was in collaboration with all of the companies and individuals listed above. All products and promotional items will be kindly gifted for the event. I only share products that I personally use and that are made with the highest integrity.

To work with Avra and Love Wild Live Free on collaborations, reviews and sponsored posts please get in touch on the Contact page!

Please Note: Love Wild Live Free is a proud supporter of the Toronto Vegetarian Association (TVA) and Veg Food Fest, however, this event is not associated with the TVA or Veg Food Fest.

]]>Vegans Have More Fun Podcast Interview (!) #goveganLoveWildLiveFreeTue, 15 Aug 2017 23:53:08 +0000http://www.lovewildlivefree.com/blog/2017/8/15/vegans-have-more-fun54a6d2a3e4b04f1bf4c62bac:54a6d2fae4b04f5956f486e3:59938336e3df285bc521d760You guys! I'm so excited to share that I was interviewed by Sarah Christie
on her AWESOME podcast Vegans Have More Fun, and I couldn't be more
thrilled about it! I am a self proclaimed podcast-junkie and listen to A
LOT of podcasts, so when the opportunity to be a guest on a podcast that I
adore came up, I could not resist!It's true, vegans really do have more fun!

You guys! I'm so excited to share that I was interviewed by Sarah Christie on her AWESOME podcast Vegans Have More Fun, and I couldn't be more thrilled about it! I am a self proclaimed podcast-junkie and listen to A LOT of podcasts, so when the opportunity to be a guest on a podcast that I adore came up, I could not resist!

‘Vegans Have More fun’ is a podcast where vegans/vegetarians get together to talk about food…And anything else that comes up in conversation. And podcast host, Sarah, is no stranger to the art form - she's a Music Director and Announcer at 105.3 Virgin Radio and Weekends at 105.7 EZ Rock. She's also super dedicated to spreading the vegan message. In fact, she wants to talk to as many different people as she can to prove that a meat free diet truly can fit anyone's style of living!

Here's what Sarah had to say about the episode:

"On Avra’s website, you can find nearly any resource you’d go searching for as a vegan! She has a recipe page that’s filled with her own creations as well as features from chef’s that she loves. The website also features ‘Vegan Social Events’ which are organized by Avra, making her one of the busiest people I’ve met! During this episode, find out the best places to shop when looking for cruelty free clothing, how to turn your balcony into a garden and what to expect from Avra’s upcoming events!"

To listen to my episode click here. The episode is also available on Podbean and iTunes.

Going vegan does not have to be difficult or expensive (vegan food is generally cheaper than animal-based foods), it just takes a little creativity and dedication to make the shift. Once I made the connection of “why” I was choosing to be vegan, it became so much easier to stay committed. Educating yourself is key when it comes to veganism, as it will help you figure out why you are making this choice. You're also bound to get questions from friends and family that your research will help you answer. Check out my Vegan Resource Guide for Podcasts that I highly reccomend, right from my personal subscriptions list. I've also got a page with some of the Books & Cookbooks that I spoke about in this episode too! These resources have helped to inform me on my vegan journey and have really inspired me along the way.

Special thanks to Sarah Christie for having me on the podcast! It's true, vegans really do have more fun! 😋

This post was in collaboration with Vegans Have More Fun. This is an unpaid endorsement. I only share content about products and services that I personally support, and that are of the highest integrity.

To work with Avra and Love Wild Live Free on collaborations, reviews and sponsored posts please get in touch on the Contact page!

]]>Vegans Have More Fun Podcast Interview (!)Yoga + Toronto Vegan Social [SOLD OUT EVENT!] Recap Vegan SocialLoveWildLiveFreeSun, 30 Jul 2017 17:38:09 +0000http://www.lovewildlivefree.com/blog/2017/7/29/yoga-vegan-social-event-recap54a6d2a3e4b04f1bf4c62bac:54a6d2fae4b04f5956f486e3:597cae07f9a61e963d998b7fOn July 16, 2017, Vegan Social Events, by Love Wild Live Free, hosted a
vegan food + drink tasting and yoga event in partnership with
Tiké, benefiting Community Living Ontario, a not-for-profit organization
that supports individuals with intellectual disabilities. Keep reading for
the full event recap, including details on the food + drink vendors, swag
bag contents, musical entertainment and interactive demos.Guests at the the sold out July 2017 Vegan Social Event enjoyed delicious food + beverages, musical entertainment, a raw cooking demo by Chef Doug McNish, interactive demos and good vibes all around!

This incredibly well received and sold out event brought together influencers, media makers and the local vegan and yoga communities for a celebration of Toronto’s thriving vegan scene! What made this Vegan Social Event unique to the Toronto vegan scene was that tickets not only included admission to the event, but also complimentary food + beverages, PLUS a swag bag with an estimated value more than $170!

Special guest executive vegan Chef Doug McNishpresented a cooking demonstration featuring a delicious raw Pad Thai dish! (To see footage of his demo check out the Two Market Girls video below at the 1:25 point). The event also featured a live musical performance by the talented singer, songwriter and entertainer Alexandria and DJ set by Syrus. Tiké founder and yoga instructor Tania Koulakian also lead a wonderful, by-donation gentle flow yoga class prior to the social portion of the evening.

The evening included interactive and complimentary demos for guests to enjoy. Shelby of Shelby Naturals hosted a beautiful spa station featuring her vegan skincare line made with ultra-pure, organic ingredients. Fruit and Vegetable Floral Artist Beets & Rosesset up a unique interactive demo where guests created the most adorable veggie boutonnieres. We also had Mukta Beingjoin us in showcasing their line of socially responsible, eco-friendly cork yoga mats and yoga accessories.

I wasn’t sure what to expect on Sunday, so I was incredibly surprised when I lined up outside the venue on Bloor street. Yes, there was a freakin’ line and the place was pa-aah-haacked.

— Tasha Jade, Daily Magic

The Two Market Girls shared this lovely video recap of the Yoga + Toronto Vegan Social Event! Make sure to subscribe to their YouTube channel for quick and delicious vegan recipes that anyone can make and anyone will love!

These are just a few of the photo highlights. You can view the full photo album with more of our vendors on Facebook. Please credit the individual photographers (noted in the description of each photo) when sharing and/or using these photos.

Swag Bags

All of the guests went home with incredible swag bags, jam-packed with vegan goodies and valued at over $170! The swag bags included food, beauty and skincare products, fitness class passes, product vouchers, and more.

Photographers + Videographers

Photo highlights have been included above. You can view the full album on Facebook. Please credit the individual photographers (noted in the description of each photo) when sharing and/or using these photos.

THANK YOU!

Thank you to everyone who helped make this event a success! I love and appreciate all who were involved. It was so inspiring to see so many great people from our vegan community come together for the evening. Stay tuned for details on the next Toronto Vegan Social Event, scheduled for September 7, 2017.

This Toronto Vegan Social Event and this post was in collaboration with all of the companies and individuals listed above. All of the products were kindly gifted for the event. I only share products that I personally use and that are made with the highest integrity.

To work with Avra and Love Wild Live Free on collaborations, reviews and sponsored posts please get in touch on the Contact page!

]]>Yoga + Toronto Vegan Social [SOLD OUT EVENT!] RecapYoga + Toronto Vegan Social Event - Eat. Breathe. Love. - July 16/17Vegan SocialLoveWildLiveFreeMon, 26 Jun 2017 22:03:32 +0000http://www.lovewildlivefree.com/blog/vegan-social-july-16-201754a6d2a3e4b04f1bf4c62bac:54a6d2fae4b04f5956f486e3:5948314e9f7456bf6819dc20Join Vegan Social Events, by Love Wild Live Free, for an exclusive vegan
food + drink tasting and yoga event. This social event will bring together
influencers, media makers and the local vegan and yoga communities for a
celebration of Toronto’s thriving vegan scene! Special guest executive
vegan Chef Doug McNish will be presenting a cooking demonstration. The
event will also feature a live musical performance by professional singer,
songwriter and entertainer Alexandria and DJ set by Syrus. Toronto Vegan Social Events is back with another event, and this time it's open to the public! Leave your wallet at home, everything is included with your ticket.

Join Vegan Social Events, by Love Wild Live Free, for an exclusive vegan food + drink tasting and yoga event. Love Wild Live Free has partnered with Tiké to host this event benefitingCommunity Living Ontario, a not-for-profit organization that supports individuals with intellectual disabilities. Tiké founder and yoga instructor Tania Koulakian will be leading a by-donation gentle flow yoga class prior to the social portion of the evening.

This social event will bring together influencers, media makers and the local vegan and yoga communities for a celebration of Toronto’s thriving vegan scene! Special guest executive vegan Chef Doug McNish will be presenting a cooking demonstration. The event will also feature a live musical performance by professional singer, songwriter and entertainer Alexandria and DJ set by Syrus.

Tickets includes admission to the event, complimentary food + beverages, PLUS a swag bag with an estimated value more than $170! For tickets click HERE - limited quantity available!

Keep reading to the end of this article to learn how you can WIN one of three early-bird ticket prizes when you purchase your tickets before July 10th!

For a full recap of the September 2016 Toronto Vegan Social Event please click here.

What:Yoga + Toronto Vegan Social Event “Eat. Breathe. Love.”

When: Sunday,July 16, 2017

Where: Shecosystem - 703 Bloor Street West, #201

Yoga Session: 4:00pm - 5:00 pm

Vegan Social: 5:30 pm - 8:00 pm

Gentle Flow Yoga Session

Tiké founder and yoga instructor Tania Koulakian will be leading a by-donation gentle flow yoga class prior to the social portion of the evening. Space is limited, so make sure to reserve your spot by following this link for tickets.

Tania is the founder of the local Toronto jewellery and lifestyle brand Tike, and a Yoga and Barre Fitness Instructor in the GTA. She has also worked a Digital Marketer/Social Media Strategist for Bounce Canada, and currently for Serendipity Yoga and Pilates, and Maimah Karmo.

The Charity

Community Living York South is a not-for profit organization that provides support and services to individuals (including children, youth, adults and seniors) who have an intellectual disability and to their families. The agency provides a comprehensive suite of services that support people in directing their own lives and promote self-sufficiency, increased opportunities, partnerships, well-being, freedom and meaningful participation in the community.

Tania has been sharing the benefits of yoga with the members of Community Living since 2014. She is proud to support the important services that this organization provides and she believes that all people, regardless of background, should have access to the practice and benefits of yoga.

The Venue

The venue for this event is presented in partnership with Shecosystem Coworking + Wellness, a coworking community and event venue where feminist entrepreneurs can succeed in business without compromising their wellbeing. Whether you want to drop in once a month or every day, they’ve got a membership plan to suit your needs and a workspace to suit your mood!

Eats + Drinks

Leave your wallet at home because all of the food and drinks at this event will be complimentary. Come taste the best from vegan restaurants and food companies like Unbaked Cake Co., Two Bears Coffee, Culcherd and Ripple Foods. Kupfert & Kim will be joining the event again this year with their delicious wheatless and meatless eats. RawFoodz will also be back and debuting their NEW Chocolate Pudding. It's made with just 5 ingredients and is nut-free, soy-free, raw, super clean, deliciously decadent and creamy. I gave it a try and it is phenomenal - you won't believe it's vegan and healthy. Mama Vegan will also be joining the social with vegan honey and Greenhouse Juice Co. will be serving up their refreshing cold-pressed organic juices.

Studio Experience Room

We've got all of the entertainment covered for the evening! Chef Doug McNish will be presenting a dynamic cooking demo and guests are invited to learn from the best and sample his vegan creations. Everything that Chef McNish crafts is inspired by the highest quality plant-based ingredients, grown by conscious farmers. He serves fresh food and inspiration out of his Public Kitchen. You can also find him at the weekend Evergreen Brickworks Farmers’ Market.

Chef McNish is an award winning cookbook author. His first book “Eat Raw, Eat Well, 400 Raw, Vegan, and Gluten Free Recipes” received the award for “Best Vegetarian Cookbook in the World, 2012” and his third book “Vegan Everyday: 500 Delicious Recipes” received the award for “Best Vegan Cookbook in the World, 2015” by the World Gourmand Cookbook Awards held in Paris, France. To learn more visit: dougmcnish.com.

Alexandria will be joining the entertainment line up with a special musical performance. Hailing from Toronto, Alexandria is a professional singer, songwriter, and entertainer that is often referred to as having a voice that soothes the mind, heals the body, and touches the soul. Her song Lost, a collaborative effort with the UK’s Frequency & Soul Circuit, was featured in an episode of American Horror Story, as well as in a Mercedes Benz ad campaign that has run worldwide. Her original composition, Without You, was the subject of a full vocal sample on Adventure Club’s latest release Black + Blue. Alexandria is also an accomplished yoga teacher and healer, creating both the NULOVE and Zen Dogs Wellness brands; two endeavours that bring together the power of yoga, and music.

The Yoga + Toronto Vegan Social Event - “Eat. Breathe. Love.” will feature a special musical performance by professional singer, songwriter, and entertainer Alexandria.

The social will include a DJ set by Syrus. Although classically trained in piano, he has grown up infatuated with electronic music, and the concrete jungles that inspired its existence. Syrus has performed at a range of venues both clandestine and public locally in Toronto, and internationally in Calabria, Italy. Recently opening Team Awaken, a company that blends Live DJs, Fitness and Yoga classes, Syrus is bringing electronic music to a whole new level of enjoyment. Noticing segregation between fans from one genre to another, Syrus dreams his sets will bring all music lovers front row centre, as one.

The Yoga + Toronto Vegan Social Event “Eat. Breathe. Love.” will feature a DJ set by Syrus.

Interactive Demos

Join Shelby of Shelby Naturals in the healing room for a complimentary spa station featuring her vegan skincare line made with ultra-pure, organic ingredients. Shelby will be giving complementary skin analysis and sampling her cult-favourite 3-step routine, the Cleanser, Toner and Serum. These luxurious, botanical products are formulated with only active ingredients to regenerate the skin; the purest fruits, flowers and botanicals sourced from the finest suppliers across the world. Perfect for all skin types for healthy, glowing and radiant skin! Come indulge in truly organic, vegan skin care that performs.

* This list is in no particular order and will be updated on an ongoing basis.

Swag Bags

Swag bags will be gifted to all guests and are valued at over $170! The swag bags will include food, beauty and skincare products, fitness class passes, product vouchers, and more. Our Swag Bag Sponsors include:

* This list is in no particular order and will be updated on an ongoing basis.

Early Bird Ticket Prizes!

Purchase your tickets by July 10, 2017 at 6pm EST and you'll automatically be entered to WIN one of three amazing prizes listed below! Each ticket purchased qualifies for 1 entry. Winners will be chosen by random selection and must pickup their prize at the event.

For a full recap of the September 2016 Toronto Vegan Social Event please click here.

Much Love,

#LoveWildLiveFree

This Toronto Vegan Social and this post was in collaboration with all of the companies and individuals listed above. All products and promotional items will be kindly gifted for the event. I only share products that I personally use and that are made with the highest integrity.

To work with Avra and Love Wild Live Free on collaborations, reviews and sponsored posts please get in touch on the Contact page!

]]>Yoga + Toronto Vegan Social Event - Eat. Breathe. Love. - July 16/175 Tips for Cultivating Self-Love from Kimberly Carroll, Body/Mind/Spirit CoachHealth + BeautyLoveWildLiveFreeMon, 01 May 2017 04:09:41 +0000http://www.lovewildlivefree.com/blog/2017/4/30/kimberly-carroll54a6d2a3e4b04f1bf4c62bac:54a6d2fae4b04f5956f486e3:5905f81e03596ed6c17cabcdMeet Kimberly Carroll: a Body/Mind/Spirit Coach, TV host and
producer, animal activist, and all around, a pretty incredible human being,
with a lot of heart. Kimberly has shared 5 wonderful Tips for Cultivating
Self-Love. I hope that these tips inspire you to give a little extra love
to the most important person in your life, you! Simple and practical ways to get a loving relationship with yourself off the ground.

Meet Kimberly Carroll: a Body/Mind/Spirit Coach, TV host and producer, animal activist, and all around, a pretty incredible human being with a lot of heart. I always love seeing Kimberly out and about at local Toronto vegan events. You can usually find her MC-ing an event, or hosting panel discussions, and with good reason - she knows how to charm a crowd.

You might recognize Kimberly from the popular comedic design show “Take This House and Sell It!” on W Network (she was the host and producer), and WE TV to “E Now” on CTV, to “Definitely Not the Opera” on CBC Radio. She's showed up over the years on networks from North America to Africa to Europe.

Body/Mind/Spirit Coach

Kimberly likes to joke that for many seasons she had a television gig helping renovate houses and now here she is helping renovate lives. Her specialty is helping people connect to their center, ignite their lives, and transform the world around them. As a body/mind/spirit expert, Kimberly has been featured in the Globe and Mail and as a regular on Newstalk 1010’s “The Buddha Lounge”, CMT’s “Dedicated”, and Flow 93.5. She's also written for ANNA Magazine, VividLife, and Positive Fabulous Women.

As a Body/Mind/Spirit coach, Kimberly works with both men and women through an in-person and online Life Reboot Program, as well as through private coaching. Her approach is a fun, inspiring, and practical process to ignite mind, body, spirit, and heart and then design a life from a powerful place.

This past winter I was a student in Kimberly's Life Reboot program, a 7 week personal development guided program within a group setting. The Life Reboot program includes both weekly in-person group workshops (by a cozy fireplace with delectable vegan snacks), as well as a daily program that we completed individually. For each of the 49 days there were morning audio lessons and exercises in the program workbook, with ongoing online coaching throughout the 7 weeks. I really enjoyed the morning audio recordings because they included powerful visualizations and meditations, with a good dose of saucy inspiration to get centered and charged up for the day ahead. What I loved about these morning recordings was that they gave me the opportunity to get grounded, while strengthening my meditation practice (which is something that I've always wanted to do).

I have so much gratitude for having been part of the Life Reboot program because I can personally say that this program helped me in many areas of my life - from stress management, to sharpening and trusting my intuition, and the cultivation of more self-love. I am of the belief that self development practices - especially the work that I did with Kimberly - can help anyone, at any stage of life.

Kimberly is a prominent Toronto vegan activist who has fronted and coordinated many animal rights campaigns. If you take the TTC (the Toronto subway system), it is likely that you've seen the “Why love one but eat the other?” ad series. Kimberly was the co-creator, co-coordinator, and spokesperson for the original "Why love one" transit ad campaigns in 2009, 2011, and 2013. Currently, she works with Animal Justice, Canada's only animal law advocacy organization that works to pass animal protection legislation, push for the prosecution of animal abusers, and fight for animals in court. She also helps run the Toronto Vegetarian Food Bank which provides cruelty-free, eco-conscious, and healthy foods to those in need.

I hope that Kimberly's tips inspire you to give a little extra love to the most important person in your life, you!

5 Tips for Cultivating Self-Love from Kimberly Carroll

1. Love Song for One

I spent the first part of my life listening to love songs envisioning my future soulmate singing them to me or me singing them to him. Now some of the favourite love songs on my playlist are ones I regard as an ode to myself. When I hear Erasure’s “A Little Respect” and the line “Soul, I hear you calling. Oh baby please give a little respect to me.” I imagine my precious little soul pleading to me to be kinder to it. So, reclaim a romantic song for your relationship with yourself – anything from Van Morrison’s “Have I Told You Lately That I Love You?” to Beyoncé’s “Halo” to The Cure’s “Friday I’m in Love with You” – and get ready to swoon. Play this song once a day over this next week, envision singing this song to yourself and drink it in.

* Want more song ideas? Try googling “best love songs”!

2. Mirror, Mirror

When you look in the mirror today, take an extra 30 seconds to do something other than pick yourself apart. Look deep into your eyes and regard that person in the mirror with the same compassion and acceptance you would extend a beloved friend or family member who needed your love. Reach into your heart and gut and begin telling yourself some of the things you really need to hear right now – words of comfort, validation, or encouragement. If it feels really awkward or artificial at first, you could start with something easy like: “Hey Buddy...good for you for trying something different” or “Oh Sweetie…you look tired. Sorry for working you so hard.” As you get more comfortable, you could try things like: “I saw how kind you were to that person today…I really love you for that” or “I know you’re really hurting, Sweetheart…just breathe out and relax. I’ll never leave you.” Try not to think of Stuart Smalley. ;)

3. Date with Self

A relationship begins with courting. So, schedule in an afternoon or evening to go out and consciously be with your own company. Be sure to get looking fine for yourself… Women, wear a piece of clothing that makes you feel really good and put on your favourite scent. Men, shave and pull out your best boxers. Choose a destination you’ve had your eye on…that charming café you keep passing, that movie no one but you seems to be dying to see, a golf course, an art gallery. Be on the lookout for ways to pamper or show appreciation for yourself on your date.

4. Self-Haters be Gone!

Make a list of all the things you’re constantly assaulting yourself over – ie. my nose is ugly, I’m always so poor, I’m not a good dad/daughter/husband/etc, I don’t have enough muscle, I haven’t changed the world, I’m too uptight, I can’t hang onto a mate, I’m a terrible speller. When you’re done, take a close look at that list and really consider all the crap you are endlessly throwing at yourself… You wouldn’t talk to your worst enemy like that!! Notice which things on this list are not even true or are a result of situations beyond your control. We, of course, can resolve to grow beyond these limits, but nobody can expand when they’re constantly being beat up. Take a step to protect yourself from this hateful behaviour by destroying that piece of paper (rip it up, burn it, stomp it) with the same ferocity as if somebody had written this nasty list about your own child or loved one. Let this paper know, that you’re not going to put up with anybody talking shit about your sweet self!

5. Why I’m Awesome List

On a nice big clean sheet of paper, start making a list of all the things – big or small, grand or quirky – that are unique, great, or loveable about you. Things like: “I started my own company at 30”, “Dogs love me”, “I look amazing in hats”, “I let a terrible tragedy grow me”, “I went to a foreign country with no plan”, “I helped nurse that pigeon back to health”, “I’m good at fixing appliances”, “I have a scar that looks like a heart”, Try to come up with 50… Oh come on, you can do it! Have that list handy to pull out and read whenever you start losing sight of why exactly you’re so damn lovable.

The next Life Reboot Program (the same course that I did!) starts Tuesday, May 2, 2017. You can learn more about the program by clicking here. Kimberly is offering an animal activist discount of 25% off for the up-coming Life Reboot Program!

This post was in collaboration with Kimberly Carroll. This is an unpaid endorsement. I only share content about products and services that I personally support, and that are of the highest integrity.

To work with Avra and Love Wild Live Free on collaborations, reviews and sponsored posts please get in touch on the Contact page!

]]>5 Tips for Cultivating Self-Love from Kimberly Carroll, Body/Mind/Spirit CoachPixie Mood: On-Trend Vegan Bags & Accessories + PROMO CODEStyle GuideLoveWildLiveFreeMon, 17 Apr 2017 21:30:05 +0000http://www.lovewildlivefree.com/blog/2017/4/17/pixie-mood54a6d2a3e4b04f1bf4c62bac:54a6d2fae4b04f5956f486e3:58f4df55e6f2e13a88a57362Meet Pixie Mood, a local Toronto company that offers affordable and stylish
bags and accessories that are 100% cruelty-free and made with materials
that are environmentally friendly too! Keep reading to learn how you can
win a Rachel Ombre Tote in black from Pixie Mood. Plus, I've included a
special interview below with Chloe and Kevin, the couple behind Pixie Mood,
and an exclusive promo code too! Playful, on-trend bags and accessories that happen to be cruelty-free and vegan too!

Meet Pixie Mood, a local Toronto company that offers affordable and stylish bags and accessories that are 100% cruelty-free and made with materials that are environmentally friendly too! I have absolutely been loving the Rachel Ombre Tote in black from Pixie Mood. I get compliments almost every single time that I use this bag. It is super stylish and large enough to carry basically my whole life. I am so excited to be teaming up with Pixie Mood (a company that is PETA Approved!) for a giveaway featuring this exact bag! Keep reading for all of the details on how to enter. Plus, I've included a special interview below with Chloe and Kevin, the couple behind Pixie Mood, and an exclusive promo code!

Daily essentials including the Rachel Ombre Tote by Pixie Mood. Keep reading to learn how to win one of your very own! Photo by Love Wild Live Free.

The couple behind Pixie Mood

Kelvin & Chloe both worked 9 – 5 jobs before they started Pixie Mood. Chloe's love for fashion, art, colour and textiles led her to pursue her dream of having her own handbag brand. She gathers ideas and design inspiration from around the world, from the unlikeliest of places, and put them into actuality. Kelvin, who graduated from Ryerson University with a Business Management major, has always dreamed of being an entrepreneur running his own company. They took a leap of faith to bring each other’s dream into reality with Pixie Mood.

Vegan Leather

The type of vegan leather that is used for Pixie Mood pieces is Poly urethane (PU-leather), which is different from lower grade synthetic leathers such as vinyl or PVC. PU-leather has a much less harmful impact on the planet compared to vinyl or PVC, is a lot softer and does not crack in the harsh winter weather like other synthetic leathers would. The Pixie Mood team is always on the hunt for new and innovative materials to be used in their designs.

As an exclusive for my readers, Pixie Mood is offering a 20% discount! Use code "LOVE20" at checkout on www.pixiemood.com (expires July 15, 2017).

The Margaret Clutch by Pixie Mood, with plain cork and black vegan leather, is the perfect accessory for a night on the town! Photograph by Pixie Mood.

The Kim Convertible Backpack, made with vegan leather, is one of Pixie Mood's most popular bags. It returns in a beautiful Cream colour just in time for Spring. This bag converts from a backpack to a cross body bag! Photograph by Pixie Mood.

The Alicia Soft Tote in Cream by Pixie Mood is a soft tote bag, made with vegan leather. Photograph by Pixie Mood.

The Pixie Mood team loves animals and believe that fashion would be even more awesome without harming any of our furry friends! Fashion is a form of self-expression, and Pixie Mood’s mission is to offer a fashionable alternative for people to express themselves without harming any animals. We believe that there is always room for great fashion with compassion, for vegans and non-vegans alike!

— Pixie Mood

What was the inspiration behind creating Pixie Mood?

Pixie Mood is an expression of our love for fashion, creativity, and the world.

What does "ethical fashion" mean to you?

Ethical fashion to us means trying our best to have a positive impact and minimize the negative footprints we have on the environment, animals, workers, and the world in general.

I understand that you use high quality materials in your products like vegan leather and cork. How do you select the materials that you use in your pieces?

We travel to markets across the world and find inspiration in the most unexpected things like furniture, stationary, clothing, etc. We also make sure that those materials are durable, and are suitable for our product line.

What types of materials should consumers be wary about when purchasing fashion pieces?

Look for pieces that don't only look good, but feel good when you wear it. The weight of a handbag is something I look for in a handbag, I try to avoid using heavy handbags. Materials such as vegan leather and cork are all very light-weight as compared to leather.

If everyone could make one change or do one thing in order to reduce the impact of our fashion-related consumption habits, what would that be?

Always try to buy fashion pieces that are made with cruelty-free materials!

Any tips for going vegan?

Explore at your own pace and have variety - try out different recipes and restaurants.

What are your favourite vegan spots in Toronto?

Bunner's Bake Shop, Vegetarian Haven and Grasshopper Restaurant.

What can we expect to see in the future as Pixie Mood evolves?

Exciting new handbag shapes and styles made with innovative materials!

Instagram Giveaway Details

I've teamed up with Pixie Mood for a special giveaway! Enter to WIN the Rachel Ombre Tote (pictured below) which includes a separate pouch that could be used as a cross body bag. Visit my Instagram post from today for contest details by clicking here.

This post was in collaboration with Pixie Mood. This is an unpaid endorsement and I was gifted the Rachel Tote for review. I do not make a commission from the promo code. I only share content about products that I personally support, and that are of the highest integrity.

To work with Avra and Love Wild Live Free on collaborations, reviews and sponsored posts please get in touch on the Contact page!